[[[XWL High Octane: Power To The People 5/27/2020 - 6/10/2020]]]

As XWL goes live, the shot opens up with a roar of cheers and adulation from the XWL Universe as the show tonight has a lot to live up to after the inaugural version was a rousing success, both in terms of the action on display as well as financially. The camera pans through the various custom made signs made to support their favorite male and female wrestlers, but fret not for those without signs as their lack of creativity is mitigated by their purchases at XWLShop.com as they're wearing merchandise for their favorites, whether it's a shirt or a cap isn't relevant. As the camera begins to focus and zoom in on the custom made stage, we can only assume that the explosion of bright colors in every direction is what comes next but instead, we're taken a back by the fact that instead of being exposed to a rainbow, we're instead slowly sent into the darkness, the air of confusion filling the arena.

The only light emanating in the arena begins to pierce the darkness, albeit only reaching out towards the limits of the stage, but illumination is brought nonetheless. The first image shown is that of the former World Heavyweight Champion in Brock Lesnar, a man that has a tall order standing before him tonight, or it would be if it was a mortal man and not The Beast Incarnate himself. As Brock shifts his head upwards from his downed state, the word “FALL” rapidly flashes on the screen for a single frame before disappearing just as quickly as it appeared before we cut to quick fire shots of the man in question sending many, many people to Suplex City and ending with him hitting the devastating move he appropriately calls The F-5. We cut from that and are greeted by an appearance from the “Good Brothers” in Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, who are standing face to face, either man extending their right arms into the air with their index and pinky fingers straight up while the remaining two fingers and thumb are all pursed together in the center, meeting at the top for a “Too Sweet” moment shared between Good Brothers. While this was going on, in the background of that image, we witnessed the duo delivering their infamous finishing maneuver to many a Superstar as a similar rapid fire slide show played for the tag team. And just like that, Gallows immediately disappears from frame, leaving Karl Anderson to react with baffled expression before the video cuts towards Anderson's second opponent for the evening, the returning Chad Gable. In this section, we see the aforementioned wrestler delivering a myriad of familiar maneuvers, starting with a handful of picture perfect Moonsaults then continuing on to tactfully precise take downs transitioning into a perfectly applied Ankle Lock and finally ending with various version of a German Suplex, whether it be from the corner, the top rope or standing in the center of the ring.

From Chad Gable, we continue along to the remainder of the Mach 6 Series, starting with The Demon King himself in Finn Balor, there's no flashy moves to display, instead, we see Balor staring directly into the camera, causing it to dip in and out of focus with every passing second before a quick switch shows his opponent for the evening in Roman Reigns hitting a Spear that nearly splits his victim in half from the sheer impact alone. Reigns goes for another Spear but a subtle cut instead shows Goldberg hitting the maneuver on an unsuspecting foe, the rivals playing a game of one-upmanship with one another. The camera pans away to show Ilja Dragunov standing on the top turnbuckle with his eyes closed and his arms out in front of him for a few moments before the word “AND” flashes on the screen for a fraction of a second as Ilja's eyes open, locking onto his target before he flies off the top rope, striking an unknown individual and knocking him onto the canvas. From the ashes on the canvas rises The Corporate Dragon, a serious expression on his face as a subtly audible sound of “Yes!” resonates around him but there's no one around besides him. Two shots are then cut together in unison, showing Bryan shouting “Yes!” at the top of his lungs while the second shot quickly follows up with him shouting “No!” the conflict inside his head being on display while Sami Zayn creeps up behind him, mockingly shouting “Yes!” in his face as Bryan doesn't seem to acknowledge his existence but that doesn't stop Zayn from indulging in his mocking nature. With a quick reset in scenery, we see Shayna Baszler defeating most of the women that have stepped up to her with her flexible yet deadly offense, whether it be strikes with her knees, fists or a submission or two, Shayna has shown that she is still a force to be reckoned with. We then see a brief history of Io Shirai's time here, starting with “The Genius of the Sky” and unsuccessfully managing to become the Women's Champion, then fast forwarding to her failed attempt at Final Stand, Io's demeanor being a stark contrast from her humble beginnings, her Championship goals now being nothing more than a means to an end.

We once again are taken to a different ring, where both the World Heavyweight Champion in Robert Roode, Bobby to his friends, and the man, or in this case viper, to hold that very same Championship first in Randy Orton are stood face to face, a venomous smile etched on Orton's face while a Glorious smirk graces the Champion's face. The Viper, living up to his namesake, strikes first, leaping into the air and wrapping his arms around Roode's head in one swift motion, sending the Champion on a one way trip to the canvas, but before both men can fully fall, they both disappear into dust. A different version of the events has now unfolded as Roode is now the one in the driver's seat, holding Orton's head under his right arm while his left arm is raised into the air as he shouts “Glorious!” before bringing his left arm back to Orton's waist and lifts him into the air, ready to plant him with a Glorious DDT but once again, both men shift to dust as the word “PRAY” flashes on the screen for a brief moment before disappearing. Instead of having Orton and Roode once again try to outdo one another, we're greeted with both the Women's and North American Champions in Sasha Banks and Kairi Sane, both women looking at one another as a clip plays behind them, featuring their last encounter, where Kairi misted Sasha, the sense of distrust in the air as neither woman trusts the other. While it's more understandable on Kairi's end, seeing as Sasha had more or less betrayed anybody she has aligned herself with, most recently being Liv Morgan, Kairi is quite the opposite in that regard. Their respective friendships have taken two drastically different paths but tonight, they have to trust one another whether they want to, which is easier said than done for both parties involved. As we transition into the final portion of the video, no subtly is needed as we immediately cut into a shot of “Hangman” Adam Page flipping over the top rope and landing his trademark Buckshot Lariat, turning PAC inside out before we quickly cut to a shot where Page is laid out on the canvas while The Bastard himself is on the top rope. With zero remorse, PAC hops off the top turnbuckle and twists through the air, perfectly landing the Black Arrow with extreme precision. The final shot we see is both men standing tall, each holding the Intercontinental Championship high above their head, but which result will be our reality?





As the video comes to an end, the lights in the arena return to their former glory and before the live audience in attendance could respond, we are NOW greeted with the wall of rainbow explosions in the form of pyrotechnics going off on and around the stage, the cheers erupting as we now kick off the second ever edition of High Octane. One last quick pan for the moment follows before the camera finds its way towards the commentary trio, snapping to them in one slick motion as the first voice we're greeted by is none other than Mauro Ranallo.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Good evening ladies and gentlemen and WELCOME to High Octane...the night where the POWER is in the hands of the people!

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Tonight is going to be really exciting as you the fans will be able to vote on many of the matches tonight ranging from the type of match, to who are even apart of those matches.

[[Corey Graves]]
With great power comes an even greater responsibility and tonight The XWL Universe will be responsible for potentially deciding who walks away as The NEW Intercontinental Champion.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Hangman Adam Page, The BASTARD PAC...a very captivating rivalry that tonight will either be decided in a Ladder Match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match, or a Flaming Tables Match!

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Any single one of those matches would be incredible to see and I am excited that we indeed will see one of those matches tonight. These two Superstars stole the show at Final Stand, which is not something that is easily done...especially with many of the encounters that took place on that night. But it speaks to the hunger that is within them, it speaks to their characters that whether it's through love or hate...we are drawn to what they do. And it's going to make for a very incredible clash for The Intercontinental Championship tonight when one of these stars attains their first title in XWL.

[[Corey Graves]]
Of course as they clash for The Intercontinental Championship tonight we'll also see the start of The Mach 6, a series of 15 matches featuring 6 Superstars who over the course of the next 2 months will be fighting to see which among them will walk away with a future Intercontinental Championship Match.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Roman Reigns, Finn Balor, Ilja Dragunov, Goldberg, Chad Gable, and Karl Anderson all set to compete tonight one on one in the first of the 15 matches. And tonight much like the theme their fate may also be decided by your vote isn't that right, Beth?

[[Beth Phoenix]]
That's right, Mauro it's up to the fans how these first matches play out, all three options are the same for all three matches but essentially you could choose to have each one be a different type of match. Ranging from a Normal Match, to an Extreme Rules Match, or even a Falls Count Anywhere Match. We're going to be seeing big things from everyone involved in the next 2 months and my husband and I are thrilled to watch it all kick off tonight.

[[Corey Graves]]
That's not the only contendership oriented match though as tonight the finals of The North American Championship Number One Contendership Tournament will take place when Shayna Baszler who defeated Maryse to advance, will face Io Shirai who last week defeated Sarah Logan to earn her place in tonight's finals.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Shayna a former North American Champion, Io of course came up short at Final Stand when she along with other Women clashed in Lethal Lottery over The North American Championship. Tonight is about whether Shayna can find herself back in the conversation she once led as Champion...or whether Io can attempt to avenge her loss at Final Stand and find herself across from a woman she knows very well.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
The people watching tonight have the power to potentially determine who meets Kairi Sane at Dead Man's Hand. Option A is a Tables Match, which one thing I can say from experience is that this type of encounter is anyone's to take because it's a mixture of skill and luck based because our competitors don't often find themselves having to be on such a high guard. Option B is a Ladder Match with naturally favors The Genius Of The Sky herself Io who is known to soar over her competition, and while it certainly doesn't guarantee her victory it does lean more in her direction. Then of course Option C is a match that favors the cage fighter herself, Shayna Baszler. With her MMA background and history of fights in a cage, granted in a different sport it certainly lends more to someone of her background. But again you're going to hear it a lot tonight because it's the truth....anything can happen...maybe being thrown into something uncomfortable to them will motivate them to come out on top of it. So please get to voting right away so that we can find out how The #1 Contendership of The North American Championship will be determined.

[[Corey Graves]]
Speaking of The North American Champion she will be teaming up with The Women's Champion tonight where their opponents will be paired up by The XWL Universe. This comes after Sasha Banks gave quite the dressing down of her potential challengers last week when the news came out of her opponent at Dead Man's Hand being determined by the wheel. Names included the likes of Charlotte, Shayna, Alexa, Sarah, Tenille, Asuka...and what was most interesting were her words about Natal-

The screen fades from blackness to a series of fog and clouds below, floating by. The motion gives the impression that we are moving, soaring through the gray-scale and overcast sky. After a few seconds, a black raven comes into view below, flapping its wings every few seconds to maintain its elevation as it glides through the clouds. While witnessing this somber sight, the voice of a woman beckons to us.

They were not ready to hear his message the first time. Their virgin ears were too unworthy to receive the deliverance he vowed to bring, and now, they have no choice but to heed his warning...

The monochromatic clouds and fog finally begins to clear as we begin to make out a large, skull-shaped rock known as Golgotha, the place where Christ was slain thousands of years ago. The raven swoops down, beginning to circle the pinnacle of the rock, where a man appears to be hanging on a cross. Wrapped in nothing but a bloody loin cloth, his muscular frame was on full display. His clean-shaven head is hung low while the raven's downward spiral brings it closer and closer to the seemingly deceased carcass of the man.

They think they've ridden the world of him and his prophecy. The fools... They've only set his plan into motion. They have sealed their own fate, and soon there will be nowhere to run, and absolutely nowhere to hide from his wrath...

As the raven gracefully finds its footing on the shoulder of the crucified man, the camera shifts over the shoulder of the man and the black bird, we catch a glimpse of a hooded figure emerging from the fog. The petite frame of the individual is mostly concealed by a black cloak. The cape of the garment drapes down over her torso and lower body, separating down the middle to reveal a pair fishnet-clad legs with every step the figure takes up the path towards the cross. The large, black hood sits over the being's head, covering the upper half of the face. Aside from the ends of platinum blonde locks the cascade down over the chest, a pair of blood red lips that stand out under the hood give us the clear indicator that this being is in fact a woman.

They turned their back on him, and for that, they will pay with their blood. Every man, woman, and child will soon fall before him and beg for mercy, and he will show them none. He is your penance, he is your apocalypse, and he is coming...

Just as she says this, the woman arrives at the foot of the cross. She kneels down by the pool of blood collecting on the sharp rocks below his nailed feet. She places her hands in a traditional praying praying pose by pressing both of her palms flat together with her fingertips pointed towards the sky. Only, they didn't remain that way for long. While her gloved hands remain firmly pressed together, they slowly transition to point down towards the pool of blood on the ground. With this unorthodox pose in full effect, the woman's red lips begin to move as the voice is now revealed to be originating from her all along.

I ask not for forgiveness on behalf of the people who have turned their backs on you. I ask only for vengeance. I ask for retribution. I ask for chaos. I ask for famine, for war, and for pestilence. I ask, for their blood.

The hooded maiden, with her praying hands still pointing down towards the pits of hell itself, turns her concealed face up towards the man hanging on the cross as she inhales in preparation to leave us with these final words...

The end, is, near... Tick tock.

Following her parting statement, our eyes are assaulted by flashing images of red. In the midst of them, we distinguish a dark silhouette of a man standing with his large arms folded across his chest. Goat-like horns are growing out from his skull. After a moment, the silhouette of a seductress steps out from behind him and positions herself by his side. Her sharp nails and fingers coil up and latch onto his shoulder as she turns and faces the camera before everything goes black.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Are we- are we back? That uh, that was rather unexpected Beth...

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Unexpected and unnerving for sure...

[[Corey Graves]]
The end is near? What does that mean?

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Well, as we try to move on from that very disturbing imagery...voting for tonight's show is officially open, you can review the entire card on our website and of course cast your votes accordingly for the matches we listed and many others including a Handicap featuring Brock Lesnar's return to the ring where if he can defeat The O.C? He'll have AJ Styles at Dead Man's Hand.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
As well as choosing who AJ Styles himself will make his return to the ring against tonight, which also including two returning Superstars themselves. Jeff Hardy and Aleister Black could make their return to competition with him, and if you want to spice it up you could even choose for BOTH to be in there with The Phenomenal One.

[[Corey Graves]]
Can we all just agree not to vote for the loser to leave when Britt Baker faces Maryse? I don't want either of them to go! Britt's got such a bright future, and Maryse has had such a great career...sure she hasn't exactly lived up to that in the last several months but isn't it a little harsh to potentially send her on her way?

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
I don't know about you two but I'm ready for tonight's action to start. The first episode of High Octane was such an incredible show and with an even more stacked lineup tonight? We're going to see the hottest action from today's top Superstars as they navigate the obstacles laid out in front of them by The XWL Universe's votes.

We are brought back to the announce table where we see Maruo Ranallo, Beth Phoenix, and Corey Graves smiling back at us.

Beth Phoenix
Wow.. It looks like Seth Rollins has had a change of heart!!

Corey Graves
Well speaking of heart, Dr. Britt Baker DMD has a lot of heart!! That’s why she’s our Role Model!!

Mauro Ranallo
Nice transition Corey..

Corey Graves
Thanks Mauro.. You know, Doctor Britt Baker DMD has proven why she’s The XWL Universe’s Role Model, time and time again these past two months since she’s Debuted.. There’s a reason that she has the letters DMD after her name!! She’s proven that her smarts outside of the ring also apply in it!! She was able to use her brains to pull off impressive victories against North American Champions Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane in back to back weeks!!! Then when put up against former Ultimate Fighter Shayna Baszler for the North American Title Tournament, she taught us all the value of “working smarter, not harder” by having Maryse take her place, with the stipulation being if Maryse won the Tournament, then Britt Baker DMD would be the first one to challenge her for the North American Title...

Beth Phoenix
Of course Britt Baker-

Corey Graves
Dr. Britt Baker DMD!

Beth Phoenix
Right.. It turns out she forgot to tell Maryse who her opponent was going to be… The look on Maryse’s face when the hardest hitting women on the roster came out.. Oh man.. Even I wouldn’t want to step into the ring with Shayna Baszler without any time to prepare for her!! I’m not going to lie, I actually felt bad for Maryse.. That was some clever manipulation the Dentist did to get out of facing the Former UFC fighter..

Corey Graves
Manipulation??! Are you kidding me??! Dr. Britt Baker DMD was showing us humility.. She was humble, and was able to admit that a veteran like Maryse was more deserving of the North American Title Shot.. She taught us selflessness, by giving up her North American Contender Tournament Match.. She showed us how a true Role Model acts.. We are so lucky to have her here in the XWL, and The XWL Universe is even more lucky to have her as a Role Model!!

Beth Phoenix
Well tonight the “Role Model” will go one on one with Maryse.. And I doubt that she will be able to get out of this match…

Mauro Ranallo
Speaking of which.. We have some footage from one of our staff members’ Facebook Live videos.. The clip explains how Britt Baker-

Corey Graves
Dr. Britt Baker DMD!!!

Mauro Ranallo
Right.. This clip shows how she got out of her match last week against Toni Storm…
..........
The words “Last Week” flash across the screen, showing that the video about to be seen is from last week…
..........
We are shown the face of an unknown XWL staff member, the camera is recording on “selfie mode”. The woman begins to whisper to the camera.

Staff Member
Hey guys!! It’s me!!.. I’m backstage here at XWL Octane!! I have the best job ever!!!.. We’re currently in commercial, but Britt Baker is about to be interviewed.. Obviously I’ll have to stop recording once that star-...

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
We’re wasting daylight here people!! Chop, chop!! Let’s get this thing going!!!

Interviewer
We’re.. We’re inside… And it’s night time… I don’t.. I… We’re also in commercial Britt.. There’s nothing I ca-

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?!??

Interviewer
What??.. Yeah.. You’re Britt Baker.. You’re a Dentist..

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Exactly!!! I didn’t go to Med School so that some nobody like you could disrespect me like that!!! When you’re addressing me, you’ll call me Dr. Britt Baker, DMD!!!.. GOT IT?!?!?

Interviewer
Yes.. Sorry.. Doctor Britt Baker DMD..

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Now.. DO YOU KNOW WHO MY OPPONENT IS?!?!?

Interviewer
Wh..What??

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
I said.. Do you know who my opponent is??

Interviewer
Toni Storm??

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
I know her name.. I just don’t know who that is… Who is Toni Storm??.. She’s not a UFC fighter, right??

Interviewer
No.. She’s not a UFC Fighter… Here..

The Interviewer pulls out her phone, seeing as they are still off air in commercial, and this is being shot by one of the crew members on her social media account. The camera turns back to selfie mode, and we can see the XWL staff member who is filming this looking back at us. She smiles and gives a thumbs up before whispering..

XWL Staff Member
This is soooo cool!!!

The camera goes back to portrait mode, and we see Britt looking over the shoulder of The Interviewer, who is holding her phone out for her to see. We can faintly hear some music being played from the phone, followed by “ohh’s” of what sounds to be a crowd, as well as the thud of bodies hitting the mat.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
That’s Toni Storm..??

Interviewer
Yepp!! That’s her!!

Britt has a worried expression as she watches the video playing on the interviewers phone.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
You know what.. I uh..

Britt takes out her phone, looking over to The Interviewer.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
It uh, it was on silent mode, good thing I checked it. One second…….

Britt answers the “phone call”

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Hello?... Oh hey Doctor.. Ohhh noooo… Really??!? An emergency??!?... Right now??!!?.. I’ll b-

Britt’s phone starts to ring.. She turns bright red as she quickly answers it.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Adam I’ll call you back…

Britt nervously laughs as she looks over to The Interviewer.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Call waiting! Gotta love that feature….

Britt “presses a button” on her phone

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Hello Doctor? Are you still there??.. Yes, sorry I had another call on the other line, I just got this new call waiting feature that makes the phone ring when you have another call.. Anyways.. Yes.. I’ll be right there for that Dentist... Emergency!!

Britt “hangs up” the phone.

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Hey.. Do me a favor, tell Edge that I can’t compete tonight. I have a very important Dentist Emergency to attend to!!..

Interviewer
But we’re about to go live again!! I w

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Duty calls!!!

Interviewer
Bu-

Doctor Britt Baker DMD
Duty caaaaalllllllssssss!!!

Britt disappears down the hallways. The interviewer nervously presses a button on her earpiece.


Interviewer
Yeah.. She just left… Something Dentist related I don’t know.. Just tell Renee to do the Dashwood interview early.. Well find her some sunglasses!!! Okay!! Good!! Thanks!!

The Interviewer takes a deep breath.

Interviewer
Wow…

The camera goes back to selfie mode.

XWL Staff Member
Wow!! An Emergency Dentist call!! It must be so cool to be Doctor Britt Baker, DMD!!,, A dentist and a wrestler!!.. Oh, I gotta go.... Yeah, your coffee is right here sir...

The screen goes black.

High Octane resumes following a replay of Sasha Banks' address last week when she revealed that her challenger at Dead Man's Hand would be determined via the wheel...and after delivering that news she proceeded to address many of the women in the division, and everyone's eagerly awaiting what some of those women might have to say in response. Well after the recap concludes, we're taken backstage where Cathy Kelley is standing by with one of those women, a woman that Sasha Banks knows very well...but has struggled to reclaim her former status as a competitor in XWL.



[Cathy Kelley]
Mia, last week The Women's Champion Sasha Banks put the entire division on notice when she announced that her challenger would be determined by the wheel at Dead Man's Hand. Naturally given the fact that you were one of the women she would then speak about in the event that wheel landed on you...I wanted to get your response to that news as well as what she had to say about you.

Mia turns her head from side to side, as if she were cracking her neck, giving the camera a not so pleasant look as she grimaces upon mention of Sasha, and what she had to say.

[[Mia Yim]]
I'm an afterthought now, am I? Or is it that everyone just forgot about me when I needed them the most? Including our dear "Boss" who was busy beforehand, being put in her place by me. It's funny how her rise, and I use that term loosely given it didn't really last that long did it? But her rise all began after April did the dirty work that Sasha couldn't do herself. Isn't that indicative of the type of person she is...no not the backstabber and despicable human being that turned on not one, but two of her "close friends" one of which unknowingly befriended the woman who almost tried to end her career...but that's another story for a different day, Cathy.



[[Mia Yim]]
But instead the opportunist that like a true "boss" sits around while everyone else does her dirty work until she swoops in and steals all the credit. But that's what this division is at it's core, isn't it? I proved that when I arrived here many years ago and ended the career of probably the greatest Women's Superstar XWL has ever had...until I broke her little neck and she was never quite the same, was she? Took her career, and her title...and fate being the comedic thing that it is...brought Sister April into my life to drag me down to the depths of hell beyond your imagination...and destroy every part of me until there was nothing left. See, Layla got to return for her stint as General Manager...while, I? I could barely function as nothing more than a husk to that demented experiment of Bray Wyatt's. And while all of that happened...no one came for me. No one was the "bigger woman" and showed me true compassion, true care, true empathy for my situation and the shackles that held me down unable to save myself...I was literally the cliche princess in a castle waiting for their knight in shining armor...and as if it were a tale from Grim himself...my knight never came.



[[Mia Yim]]
Everyone likes to always condemn someone else's actions...but when they have the opportunity to show how to react to certain situations...or how to be that "best" version of yourself? They conveniently seem to forget all about that bullshit and turn their head up to the sky so they can't see the people drowning right in front of them. I say that because for all the hate I got for ending Layla's in-ring career? I find it funny that it suddenly became okay for mine to be ripped away from me just as I was starting out. So yes, as of this moment I have been an "afterthought" to every single person here. Because they chose to forget about me, and they've still chosen every single day to forget about how they wronged me...how they wronged that "better" part of themselves...how they weren't the person they always say you should be. The fact is I'm a human being, and every person here...and watching at home? Showed their true colors to me. So I was my own hero, I saved myself...I fought to be back here in front of you...and maybe it's difficult for me to let go of this grudge weighing me down...maybe it's hard to look toward my future when I've been shackled to my past for so long.

Her eyes drift off into the distance as she finds herself lost in deep thought.

[[Mia Yim]]
Sometimes the only way to truly move forward, is to revisit that past...to go back in time and reclaim who you were before your very being was stripped away from you. I am STILL the most dangerous Woman in this division...in fact, if I were here a year ago? I would have taken Natalya out myself...given our so called what was it..."Head Boss In Charge?" Failed that at every single go...and unlike this mystery attacker? I would have dragged her holier than thou ass out onto that stage so that everyone could remember just WHO and WHAT I am capable of.



[[Mia Yim]]
But since I can't literally go back in time...well then I guess the next best thing is putting myself back in the same position I once was...and repeating history to make not only the world remember me...but to make ME remember me. So Sasha, you want to step in that ring with me...for The Women's Championship? Be careful what you hope for sweetheart, because if you get it...if fate is as cruel to you as it once was to me? Let's hope unlike the last Champion I dethroned? You remember to protect yo neck...because I'm coming for it...AND that Women's Title!

[Cathy Kelley]
You sound quite certain, can I ask what gives you such confidence especially given how much Sasha has evolved since you last clashed over The Women's Championship?



[[Mia Yim]]
It's as simple as this, Cathy...she let someone do her dirty work for her, she couldn't take that title from me back then...but I damn sure can take it from her...the more things change? The more they stay the same...I whooped that ass twice before, and if that wheel lands one me? I'll whoop it again so hard that she remembers The Boss? ALWAYS answers to The H.B.IC...and that's the one thing around here that hasn't changed!

The Head Baddie In Charge looks directly into the camera, reaching her hand out to grab the lens and position it right in close so that just her eyes are in focus. The gaze looking into the camera is unwavering...there's a power behind them, an intensity as they slightly squint...it's as if she's looking directly at The Women's Champion and letting her see that in her eyes? There is no doubt...this isn't the gaze of a woman that's going to allow herself to remain an "afterthought" if the hand of fate lands on her name on that wheel at Dead Man's Hand and she finds herself one on one with Sasha Banks for The Women's Championship. The camera remains fixated solely on Mia's eyes until it fades away and whether Cathy was done with her interview or not...which we're likely leaning into not given nothing was mentioned about the possibility that Mia might be chosen to be one of the women teamed up against Sasha and The North American Champion Kairi Sane...Mia's said all she had to say and now the rest is up to fate. The question is will it land on her name in 3 weeks? Or will it land on another woman's name?

---

Hi, so you may have seen it after Austin's promo last week but if not, this is your "HITTING YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH IT SO YOU DON'T MISS IT" reminder.

Sasha Banks called out a good chunk of the division last week, revealing that a wheel will be spun to determine who challenges for The Women's Championship at Dead Man's Hand.

ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE ON THIS WHEEL NEEDS TO PROMO ABOUT SASHA BANKS AND THE WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP! EVERYONE WHO DOES, WILL BE ON THAT WHEEL!

Anyone in the women's division is eligible to enter regardless of you being mentioned in last week's promo or not and if you were mentioned you're still required to promo about it in order to actually be on the wheel.

---

Camera cuts backstage to show Tommaso Ciampa sitting on a chair staring at the camera.

Ciampa: You see when you are at the top people will always try and chop you down. People get jealous of your success and glory and want a piece off it for themselves. They see that shining star that you have become and want to become that shining star but you see it’s impossible to shine as bright as Tomosso Ciampa and it’s my duty to make sure that people who believe they shine as bright as me get a reality check and that’s why Kevin Owens you are feeling my wrath. You see Mr Owens you are nothing. A spec of insignificant space dust whilst I shine bright in the sky above everyone else. I seen you trying to rise up and took it upon myself to show you where you belong. At the bottom off my boot in darkness. You are nothing. The people may cheer for you but they know nothing.

Ciampa: You aren’t the first guy that has tried to be in my spot light and crack under the pressure off Tomosso Ciampa and once again you are proving my point. First I catch you off guard two weeks in a row then you try and steal my spot light once again last week when I was showing that old man Goldberg that he doesn’t belong either and what happens when you try and steal my spotlight ? You get hurt and what happened last week ? You got hurt. As when I confront someone Owens I do it in front off an audience and I do it on the biggest stage I can have possible whilst all the eyes in the world are fixed directly on me. You see Owens when are you going to learn that you can’t dim this star. You can’t take away my spotlight as it all belongs to me and if I have to teach you once again this week that then so be it. Tomosso Ciampa doesn’t get tired off whipping you like a government mule.

Ciampa: Now tonight I face a man who’s star was one bright and claimed all the spotlight for himself but now he’s faded away. Become a shadow off his former self and thinks that sharing my spotlight is going to bring him back to his former glory. Well I’ve got news for you Seth Rollins or Tyler whatever you want to call yourself these days. You aren’t on my level and this spotlight doesn’t get shared so be ready to crack under the pressure as if you can’t beat Kevin Owens you certainly can’t hang with me boy and Seth when you step into my spotlight I promise you tonight it will burn you to the ground.

Camera cuts away with Tommaso Ciampa grinning and laughing in the background

"This is something, I've waited my whole life for."



[Corey Graves]
Ladies and Gentlemen, I can't believe my eyes! Chad Gable has won the Intercontinental Title!

An image flashes across the screen in slow motion of the previously mentioned moment, Gable holding the title high, emotion erupting through him and the crowd behind him. A moment passes then the image changes to Chad Gable in the ring, but this time stood in front of Chris Sabin as the two extend hands, shaking in slow motion. The birth, of one of the greatest tag teams to ever exist in XWL, if not the world. A few quick images pop up showcasing them, just being them. The introduction of Clucksworth, breakfast with cardboard Shelley, along with some other goofy moments. Then the image changes, showcasing the final moments of their record breaking title victory. The two embrace, the image going dark for a moment.

"A team named Trash City Stupid Idiots won the titles. It shouldn't have worked, but it did. That's the most surreal part of it."

Before long it comes back to show them holding the titles and defending them, again and again. Every defense is highlighted. It even shows the Christmas Special that had the team host the show. It highlights them falling through doors, fighting their evil clones and coming back to help save Christmas atop Santa's sleigh. It shows the two laughing at each other somewhere behind the scenes, showing something the people have never seen before.

"When you talk about TCSI, you talk about two friends, just loving this business."

It then shows Chad Gable on the top rope, hitting his infamous moonsault followed by Sabin hitting his corner big boot. Then the Gable O'Conner Roll German, bridging right into a pin. Right after is Sabin's patented Cradle Shock right into a pin. All of these moves won these two matches in singles or tag team affairs.  It was these moves that earned their tag team gold and allowed them to keep it for so long. Along with these moves you see some highlights of their tag team moves, ranging from a little bit of everything.

"On one hand you had Chris Sabin, who was the experience, and then you had Chad Gable, who was the young kid full of fire with a hell of a heart. It was the most unlikely pair, and it just freaking worked man."

The image shows them, going to be trained by Eric Young. The antics that took place at the running of the bulls. The chasing of the chicken in the early stages of their title reign. The slammy awards. The parachuting from a plane. The highjinks, the laughs. The tears of when they were winning their titles. Chad Gable's goofy proposal to Mandy Rose and Sabin's confusion at him doing so. It shows them both locking in the ankle lock at the same time, then the two hugging.

"It isn't like these were just two wrestlers though. Yeah, they had talent, but you loved them for so much more. They made you laugh, they made you cry, then they'd make you laugh again. They are some of the best entertainers, to ever grace sports entertainment."

The image slowly fades out on them, holding the titles high before coming back on an all too familiar image. This being Edge, mic in hand, delivering some of the most shocking news anyone could have expected.

[[Edge]]
So I am left with no choice in the matter, with no Tag-Teams...there is no Tag-Team Division. I'm sorry Chris, I'm sorry Chad...but for now The Tag Division is hereby indefinitely suspended until something changes. Until teams come around and have the same desire and dedication that you did. So gentlemen, I know this isn't how you wanted it to end, believe me...none of these people, or myself wanted this to be how it ended...but I'm afraid I need you to come out here and return The Tag-Team Titles. And unfortunately, they won't be coming back to you anytime soon.



"And just like that, it was gone. All of it. The hard work. The grinding in the gym, in the ring. The breaking down of barriers. It was these two men who honestly, probably caused the creation of the tag division, then proceeded to beat each and every team that stepped up to bat. They were the standard bearers, not just for tag teams, but for what Champions should be. A four hundred and fifty five day reign, and a whole division, gone. Just like that."  





































A few moments pass on a blacked out screen, then very slowly, appearing from the darkness, the lettering appears.



T

C

S

I



Returns










NOW


















A spotlight drops as the beat that everyone knows as loves drops. A figure stood on the stage, a single hand in the air with an index finger point to the sky, thumb extended outward. The crowd is filled with anticipation as fireworks go off all around the figure, illuminating the arena in a blast of colorful lights. A moment or two passes of this before the figure bursts out of the spotlight. This movement causes the lights to erupt all around the arena snuffing out the darkness and showing the one and only, Chad Gable. The smile across his face is shared by the fans in attendance as he looks around for a moment on the stage, taking in the electricity of this fiery hot crowd.


[Mauro Ranallo]
We didn't know if this would ever happen, but here it is! The return of Chad Gable! The return of TCSI!


[Corey Graves]
And here I was, just beginning to enjoy my night.


[Beth Phoenix]
Despite your opinion Corey, you can't deny the talent of TCSI.


[Corey Graves]
Oh, yeah, they're very talented. They're also two idiots!


Chad Gable walks his way to the ring smiling and high fiving fans as he descends the ramp, looking around at the crowd surrounding him. It's like he never left. The crowd is still chanting his name, chanting for his team. This is the moment some of them have been waiting and tuning in for tonight. Others, just simply remember the charisma and fire Sabin and Gable had together- wait, where's Sabin? Surely, he must be right behind Gable except he isn't. Perhaps there's an explanation for this as Gable climbs into the ring, finding himself a mic and holding it to his lips, pausing before letting out a sigh. This is a moment of history, the return of one half (maybe the whole team?) of the greatest tag team in XWL to date.


[Chad Gable]
One hundred and forty one. One hundred and forty one days. That's how long it has been since I have walked down that ramp, and into this ring. That is how long it's been since Anarchy was cancelled and Vince McMahon decided he didn't want to play ball anymore. That's how long it has been since I have been without my tag team title.


There's this pause as some of the crowd boos. Gable seems a bit disheartened, but looks up at the crowd.


[Chad Gable]
Allow me to introduce myself for those in the back who are new to the playing field and those of you staring at a monitor, trying to understand just exactly why this is a big deal. My name is Chad Gable. Yeah, I don't look like much, but I am without a doubt one half of the best tag team in the entire world, T-C-S-I! I hold the record for the longest tag team title reign in XWL History and am still, undefeated in defending them. That is, unless you count our loss to corporate Edge. Before, before, I get any bad responses from that, I don't blame Edge. Not at all. He did, what his job title required of him. Just as I do what my job title requires of me. Mine just happens to be defend a title until the tag teams quit coming, but hey, we all make a living.


[Chad Gable]
But for me, it isn't about making a living. It's been about living a dream. When I came into XWL I was this young amateur wrestler who had never been inside of a squared circle in my life. Then, I walk in and made shockwaves by winning the Intercontinental Championship. Following me losing that, I had what some consider one of the best Final Stand matches of all time, only to be rivaled by Bray Wyatt versus Keith Lee, against one Christopher Sabin. Following that match, Sabin and I would shake hands and seal our fates to become one of the fastest rising and most talented teams ever seen. Then, the rest is history. But, the rest of that story, that's not just mine to tell. So, allow me to introduce, my best friend in the whole wide world, the one and only, CHRIS, SABIN!



Gable gestures to the stage, the crowd all turning and cheering. There's this pause and the crowd grows even louder in anticipation. Gable holds the pose, the camera catching him and the stage in one clear shot but, no music plays.


[Chad Gable]
CHRIS, SABIN!


Gable gestures again to the stage, thinking maybe perhaps Chris missed his cue. But alas, once more no sign of Sabin. Gable turns to the guys on commentary which can be heard responding to him.


[Mauro Ranallo]
We have no idea where he is Chad!


[Corey Graves]
How do you lose your own partner?


Then Gable turns back to the crowd and raises the mic again, seeming a bit confused.


[Chad Gable]
Well it looks like Chris Sabin isn't coming out here.


Then, his demeanor changes.


[Chad Gable]
And I already knew that.


The fun loving Chad Gable has vanished and his place is this man who has this stern look about him as he turns to the camera.

[Chad Gable]
Because Sabin, is at home, sitting in front of the television, watching me as I address you all tonight. I called him before I walked out here. He sends his regards but he won't be showing up tonight. Allow me to put the questions to rest. No, it isn't because him and I had some big falling out. It's not because we're breaking up as a team. It's not because I attacked him or anything like that. It's because he took his ball, and he went home.


The crowd isn't sure how to respond but some of them appear to be booing Gable now.


[Chad Gable]
He gave up on something that he loved so dearly, the one thing that has driven him all these years. Week after week to put his body on the line, his well being. Sometimes even his life. He gave up on the thing he loved most in life, all because of you.


That definitely draws some boos from the crowd to which Gable nods, agreeing with the people in attendance.


[Chad Gable]
Chris Sabin did tonight, what I did one hundred and forty one days ago. He took his ball and went home because he was sick of it. He wasn't sick of Edge, because he did his job. He wasn't sick of breaking his body in this ring, on these ropes, on the mat here on the outside. He wasn't sick of having fun beside his best friend and a freaking chicken. He was sick and tired of not getting the recognition we deserved. Because not only did we get stripped of being the tag team championships, we got robbed, in the middle of the longest title reign of all time. And while all this was happening, you people watched. You sat back, sipped on your sodas and ate your snacks in the arena, and did nothing about it. I told Sabin when we got the news, privately, backstage, that this was wrong. But he put on a brave face, like he always does, and made the most out of it.




[Chad Gable]
But where did that get him? Get us? A few months down the road and still no recognition. Our names should be the first two into the hall of fame here in XWL. We should be the pioneers of that too, much like we have been for so much else in this company. Hell, this industry! If it wasn't for us, there would be no crowd. There would be no Octane. There would be no XWL. And all I want, is some damn recognition. But I've been denied, time and time again. I was forgotten, because I chose to stand out. There were no questions of "where is Chad? Why hasn't he come back? Does he have an injury? I hope he gets better!" And there wouldn't of been. Because you people clamp onto the next hot thing as soon as it appears and forget about the people who laid the foundations that you feel so comfortable on.




[Chad Gable]
Allow me to clarify, this isn't just me, coming out here and bitching about the snot nosed fans. This is a notice to the boys in the back. Everyone thinks they're hot shit in this industry because you can put a few words together to form a promo. And hell, maybe you win a match too. But none of you, hold a candle to the shit TCSI did. None of you compare to the in-ring-general that is Chris Sabin or the heart of fire better known as Chad Gable. So when I say listen up, you better pay attention. There is no more funny TCSI. There is no more being the nice guys and hoping to get the girl, or hoping to get our big push. I am taking, what is rightfully mine. In the name, of TCSI. In the name of Chris Sabin. The games? Are fucking over.





[Chad Gable]
Tonight is the start of the Mach 6, and before you claim "Edge has favorites" allow me to set the record straight. I'm in this tournament because I am that damn good. And if you have an issue with it, take it up with me, because I will prove it any single day. But tonight, I have some ring rust to knock off and I'm doing so by hitting Karl Anderson with a German Suplex, and pinning his ass center of the ring. After that? I'm coming and beating each and every man in that tournament. I am going to climb this corporate bullshit of a ladder again and I am going to reclaim some gold. Even if I have to end the careers of the men in my way. Consider this a take over boys. Because after it's all said and done, I will have my fucking recognition.


With this last saying, he drops the mic, rolling from the ring. He turns his back on the ring and marches up the ramp. No music plays, the fans boo him for possibly the first time in his career and he couldn't seem to care less. The camera moves to commentary where the trio sit, almost appalled at what just happened before we cut to another segment.

[Mauro Ranallo]
I, I don't know what to say.

[Corey Graves]
I wouldn't say much. I'd listen. Because that man, is a new Chad Gable.

[Beth Phoenix]
Let's just hope he doesn't get too big headed.

The screen opens back up after a commercial break to the commentary team whom are ready to share their opinions to the XWL universe on the upcoming match but as soon as Mauro goes to speak, he gets cut off by a sound unheard yet by the masses, the lighting changes ominously and all you can see are the fans eager in wait.



[Mauro Ranallo]
What I was going to say is we have a stacked card awaiting us tonight following our opening contest which saw Ciampa defeat Rollins as we await the results of the voting of tonight's show but it seems to be that those plans are derailed for the time being. W- Wait, who requested this time?

[Corey Graves]
This isn’t in any of our notes for tonight’s broadcast. I don’t recall being told of this during the briefing either, so it’s news to me.


Out from the back emerges a irked Keith Lee with a hoodie on and the hood too..  whom barrels himself down the ramp in a rush to the ring and then finds himself through the ropes within seconds, with a microphone being requested, he takes it without wasting any time. No time for glitz and glamour of an entrance. His face is beaming with not excitement but more so the refinement of clarity to its source.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
Let’s make one thing clear…

He says with his lip quivering and a huffing puffing tone in his voice.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
Final Stand in my head played out with me finally staking claim to this company as the top performer and someone you can look up to, not to only bask in a glory of a champion who earned his spot. No, this was more than that, this was a crusade for the benevolent beings and the power of pushing forward, an obstacle was merely a small fraction of what was to come. I knew I had challengers shining their focus on me, looking to take a bite out of the big man on campus. Keith Lee is no more settling for proclaiming a destiny, I will live by my might and and if that means overcoming anyone, I will do just that.


Keith looks at the camera and takes a deep breath before lifting the mic up once more.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
I have had a slew of moments in this business, XWL was where I finally became who this person was, this hero.. This champion wasn't even a champion yet, for the people. I feel like it led me to nowhere, sure adulation was great and it made me hold this championship near and dear to my heart, until it was ripped from me due to unforeseen circumstances, of my own fault. My pride got the best of me, Robert Roode was the better man and he’s been gloating at the fact that he caught me high on Mount Olympus and struck me down. It wasn’t easy, and I know we fought a long and hard, harrowing battle that made me even have to dig deep. You’re no slouch, I respect you as a competitor, we came to blows and you were the glorious one, congratulations. I took that long walk to the back when the glory was in your grasp in the form of a strap. You then had to relinquish the intercontinental championship, and that’s when it hit me..

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
NOBODY ON THIS PLANET gets to jump on an opportunity of their life and then throws a pity party when they have the entire world on their shoulders, a literal world championship and it isn't good enough. You don't get to live the tale of a King when you act like the Joker, and I am sick of you running your mouth, so I will run through YOU.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
You respect nobody but yourself, and that means I shouldn’t care about your well being, you’re another wall I am going to break down and take back what’s mine. If that means having to go back to the bottom and work my way up because pressure is my home, I will make that happen. If Edge doesn’t like how I am going to manhandle his talent then he can kick me out, I am here to compete and I am not letting myself get complacent, EVER again. Now.. there is a time to talk and then there is a time to fight, I want to knock you down a few pegs.. I intend to do just that.

Keith puts the mic down on the mat gently and then starts to unzip his hoodie and flips off the hood, he looks at the ramp as he’s taking his arms out of the sleeves and with fire in his eyes..



The World Heavyweight Champion's "Glorious" anthem acts as nails to a chalk board as it sounds throughout the arena bringing about an immediate reaction of boos from this audience that is not at all excited by the siren signaling the arrival of "one of their own." The cameras cut to the stage where Robert Roode steps out, a microphone in one hand, and his World Heavyweight Championship...the title he defeated Keith Lee to attain at Final Stand 3 weeks ago proudly over his shoulder. He uses his other hand to extend it out in front of him as he mouths "well look who it is" when directing his eyes toward Keith Lee as he stands ready for a fight in the ring after being absent from XWL programming since he was dethroned.

The Glorious One who infamously took Keith Lee's "glory" from him descends down the stage slowly, taking his sweet time as he spins the microphone between his fingers until he at least comes to a halfway mark and stops bringing the mic up to address the irate Lee.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
Look who finally decided to show up! You know, Keith...I find it funny how you're in that ring right now all worked up looking for a fight...as you conveniently seem to gloss over WHY you couldn't bother showing your face around here after I took THIS from you 3 weeks ago! I mean what the hell are you even talking about? Have you been away for so long that you've forgotten how to bring logic and reason to the things you blabber on about? When did I throw a pity party after defeating you? I respected The Intercontinental Championship, more than most Superstars ever have...so yes, having to surrender it wasn't exactly ideal but I understood...and handed it over. And I guess maybe you stopped watching after that point considering what was going on with that tub of Ben & Jerry's might have been more appealing...but then I opened the show like a Champion does...and celebrated my victory OVER YOU!



[[[Robert Roode]]]
See, I showed up...you didn't...that's kind of the elephant standing in this large room right now...you come out all hot and bothered talking about this change, and that change...but all I see in that ring right now is just a man pulling every excuse out of his fat ass that he can't seem to tell which way is up anymore...oh I grew complacent...oh I'm going to run through you, I'm going to break down that wall yada yada yada...honestly, Keith...I just see this as one giant temper tantrum one of my kids would throw. You lose one match, and suddenly your entire world comes crumbling down...isn't that a bit dramatic? Did I run and hide my face in the sand when you ended my undefeated streak? No...like the champion I was then, I showed up the following weeks refusing to allow you to derail my success up that point. When I lost to you the second time...rather than throwing my hands up and throwing in the white towel the next week...I beat not only one challenger but TWO to defend my title.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
I took my losses like a man, and I got back up and the next time that opportunity came about? My perseverance paid off, because maybe I didn't beat you the first time, or even the second? But when it mattered the most? I was the better man, and you...were just the little bitch that went home crying because unlike a true Champion...you couldn't face your loss head on, you had to "soul search" you had to "find yourself" you had to stay away until you were finally brave enough to show up...in hopes that what? No one would bother asking why a "LIMITLESS" man like yourself...had reached his limits?

As Robert tears into the man that once was the blemish on his record, the audience isn't exactly actively listening to the things he's saying, they're just booing because they don't wanna hear it, likely like Keith himself.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
WAH, THE BIG BAD MAN TOOK MY TITLE...WAAAAAAH!!!

Roode goes on giant leap further as he begins to mockingly "cry" while in his eyes mimicking the reaction Keith Lee must have had himself given he wasn't here the next night...this stunt of course only makes the audience even more rowdy.

[[[Robert Roode]]]
Real cute, Keith...but instead of trying to become a "badass" and threatening the talent to try and save face...maybe try...I don't know? Be honest with yourself? Be honest with these people? Be honest with me? You're scared, you're confused, you're trying to figure out what went wrong...when the truth is, I was simply FINALLY the better man...in the match with the biggest stakes of all of our encounters...and unlike me, who could let those losses motivate me? You can't seem to do that yourself so you're trying to act out and be this big tough guy now, when the bottom line is you weren't here with that same type of bravado the next night...it's easier to be a tough guy NOW weeks later that's going to change everything about himself, including changing your entrance theme...which talk about priorities there...than it is to own your loss and simply do better. Fact is, you can pretend to be this new person with this new "aura" but beneath it all? You're just a sore loser that frankly? Maybe these people buy into it? But I certainly don't.

Keith with his now hoodie tossed on the mat below, he looks at Roode with the gold and doesn’t let his anger get the best of him anymore, he starts to cool off and tells everyone off mic that he’s okay, that he’s not going to go berserker mode, he leans down to pick up the mic and taps on it a couple times.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
Maybe things didn’t go the way I wanted them to or had even planned, you were a thorn in my side when you were aligned with The Enterprise as Daniel Bryan’s lackey, now you’re some opportunist? What even happened to you guys, anyway.. Flash in a pan type group that hung out for a cup of coffee.  There’s only one ultimate opportunist and that was our general manager, he saw that you couldn’t handle two championships at once and lightened the load for you. That’s the reality, and if you want to mock me for having a momentary grievance of my life changing before my very eyes, then so be it. I am here now, nothing matters besides this exact moment, the moment when you know and I know, you won’t have a chance to hide behind the microphone. Third times a charm, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and that means two things to me. You found yourself in the glory, the glory didn’t find you and that your luck has run out, courtesy of myself.

Lee holds the microphone with a bear like grip and furrows his brow before continuing as if Roode hasn't questioned him into a hole, only to make him more determined and driven than ever before. He's about to lay it into him and it shows on his facial expression.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
You want to attack the base of my persona, and that’s where we differ. You think it IS a persona when LIMITLESS is a mindset for one’s self gratuity. It’s when I can’t let the negative aspects make things look slim or bleak, be the reason that I stop, give up or quit. It’s when I push myself past every odd, and even if I have a …BAD HAND when everyone else on the table is finding themselves lucky at the chance to win something as the stakes are at their highest. If I was a betting man, oh and by the way.. I happen to be. The odds are ever in my favor, by my record.. We are 2 to 1, with me standing tall over you and then afterwards you couldn’t contain your temper. This is where your  Canadian Bacon gets cooked and it starts to settle in. You have something that belongs to me.

Keith goes to stand over the ropes and hangs his arms over them, with the microphone tilted to the side and a smirk appearing on his face along with this meaningful gesture.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
You can talk all you want, you can take in and absorb the glory and then in the back of your mind lies a date, a date with me. You and I are going to stand across this very ring from each other and it’s going to happen sooner than you think. Pay homage to all of the great Canadians before you, make this reign count because it’s not going to last long, you’ll get to be a full time husband and i’ll be a full time champion, running this place without your stupid face on MY advertisements, this is the end of your glory days. How that is decided, is up to.. THEM.

He looks at the fans in attendance and raises the mic up with it, he’s met with cheers from every direction and Roode shakes his head no at that fact and sparks back without hesitation, not getting caught up in the wordsmith ways of Keith Lee.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
Keith I'm not sure if I dropped you too hard on your head at Final Stand, but you might wanna waddle on up this ramp and go pay a visit to the medic because I think you might not be medically fit to be here tonight...much less have a live mic in your hand as you just vomit out fallacy after fallacy. Where do I even begin? Do I even need to point out how wrong and senseless everything you're saying is? I'm literally facing Randy Orton tonight, an enemy of The Enterprise...who took out Jon Moxley at Final Stand. After I defeated Sami Zayn last week, another enemy of The Enterprise who robbed Daniel Bryan of his rightful victory that night. The Enterprise looks out for their own, and if you keep spreading all of that mindless propaganda to these puppets that lap up every ridiculous word you say? I'll make you eat your words just like you did at Final Stand.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
Speaking of Final Stand, I'm not sure if again, you've got a few screws out of place in that dome of yours, from again when I spiked your head into the mat, TWICE? But much like everything you've said since coming out here tonight you're wrong about something else...see, the show you're on right now? Is High Octane, POWER TO THE PEOPLE...let me say that slower...POWER...TO...THE...PEOPLE....TONIGHT...at...High...Octane...that means, one night, that means that future events do not fall under that umbrella, and if you're talking about that stunning poster promoting Dead Man's Hand featuring yours truly? Like every other Dead Man's Hand event in history...like The Sasha Banks Women's Championship announcement last week, and recap earlier tonight reminded everyone...this event is determined by the spin of a wheel. A wheel that isn't spun by crowd support, that isn't spun by the random drawing of a lucky fan that gets to spin the wheel...no..they have no say in Dead Man's Hand, just like they had no say in my rise to the top of this company.

As the audience boos, Roode looks at them as if they're as clueless as Keith and didn't know that very fact themselves. Or maybe they're booing in his mind because what he's saying is the truth...they were not responsible for his success, in fact the moment he denounced them he's been on a continued rise ever since.



[[[Robert Roode]]]
Do you hear that? You're literally infecting them with your inaccuracies...and you're supposed to be their hero? Their "Champion?" Keith, I don't know what your problem is tonight, why you think you can sit at home coming up with all of these new changes to yourself rather than facing the music like a man...but you're literally just making this too easy for me. Being "limitless" is a mindset? You don't quit when they seem slim or bleak? You literally gave up when you didn't show up after Final Stand, that was your chance to push past "every odd" but instead you just sat on your ass while I did the actual work of a Champion and gave you free press at every moment when I reminded these people that you existed. The only "bad hand" you had was from your own doing when YOU accepted my challenge. You brought what happened on yourself, didn't you literally start your nonsensical speech tonight by saying your pride got the best of you? Honestly, Keith? If it's the end of anyone's "glory days" it's yours. Because you finally ascended up that mountain, you robbed me of my unblemished record, you robbed Daniel of The World Heavyweight Championship that should have belonged to him...and when all of that got taken away from you? What happened? You plummeted, you sunk your own ship and now you're back trying to what? Be a "new" Keith Lee? Well congratulations, missed accomplished...you're a new man...a far more pathetic, and senseless man that is trying too hard to change what wasn't broken...and now can't even figure out who he is anymore much less what he's even saying. Who would've thought one loss could shake you to your core so much...but I guess that's just another major difference between Superstars like me, and you...when I'm knocked down? I push forward, when you're knocked down? Simply put, you become THIS!

Roode throws his hand up motioning for all eyes to be drawn to Keith Lee as he stands in the ring, and Roode looks almost disgusted by what's within his line of sight, even if maybe Kieth might be shaken by that loss and maybe did spend his time questioning everything...our World Champion is clearly going about this in a way that's solely meant to tear down a man that's already kind of torn himself down and tried to rebuild who he was.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
The fun is over, I never lied to anyone, or spit out fallacy after fallacy or whatever fancy word you want to say to spin your own ego. You are a company man, that’s great and all but what happens when you don’t get your way? You throw temper tantrums, you make excuses for your fellow compadres, which is why I didn’t mention The Enterprise as being in my line of sight or existent, given that I am the reason Daniel Bryan lost himself, and then got headbutted back into obscurity by Ilja Dragunov right into his karma in Sami Zayn. You’re kings in a broken down, tired and boring castle.. It seems to be that’s what the common theme is. You piss off someone who can outwit you, outsmart you when you underestimate them, and then you cry and complain when you think you’re superior and it was everything you deserved, plus MORE. Dead Man's Hand is fitting because I know how hard it is to defeat you, what it will take with you have EVERYTHING to lose. I'll have to pry it from your COLD.. DEAD.. HANDS and I am more than ready to do that, sir.

Lee hanging over the ropes still not letting Roode get the final say, he’s gloated far enough and spoke his pieces that don’t even hold up in battle.

[Keith Lee]
“GLORIFICATION IN DEMONSTRATION
Tonight I came out here after clearing my head, the loss shook me.. What can I say? You yell in Edge’s face and probably tell your wife you don’t want to talk about it when she asks whats wrong, that’s not how I do things. I perform the acts of self care, caring for myself as a human being and a wrestler second. I’m here, isn’t that what everyone cares about? You thought that you would have free reign, let you, Bryan and Mox, the inmates of the actual disease this place is based upon, greed and bitterness, RUN THE ASYLUM? No boy, I’m at full health, my head isn’t sick, nor am I sick. I’m better than I was before, and you know what else? I am going to pounce your shit and then bomb your spirit, with a Spirit Bomb, again. This time, and since you want to talk slow to me? I’ll say it in your language you ungrateful prick. This time, YOU.. WILL.. NOT.. SURVIVE.. ME!!!!

Keith throws the microphone down to the mat simply over this and it bounces up and down, with static reverberating and he looks Roode in the eyes and then glares at the World Heavyweight Championship grinding his teeth at the thought of being in the ring one more time against him. With those final words, and a very irate former World Heavyweight Champion staring at the man now in possession of the title that was once his, the new holder of that title simply responds by adding fuel to that fire and raising The World Heavyweight Championship up into the air. For nothing else needs to be said by him because ultimately Final Stand is where Roode flipped the script on Lee, and clearly he believes that it's his time now and Keith's time is up.  

[Mauro Ranallo]
Keith Lee has returned, and his sights are set on regaining what was taken from him at the showcase of the immortals when his loss of The World Heavyweight Championship was unfortunately immortalized on that night thanks to Robert Roode.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
I'm not sure what to make of Keith's words, he certainly seemed quite flustered, might that very state of mind be more detrimental than it is successful?

[Corey Graves]
Absolutely, he goes away for 2 weeks, and tries to come back as this new guy with new music and doesn't even bother explaining to his adoring public why he was away? It's a farce and Robert Roode called him out on it.

[Mauro Ranallo]
I'm not so sure it's quite like that but this certainly was anything but a cordial interaction, I suppose time will indeed tell how this story progresses. Is Keith Lee taking one big loss too hard and self sabotaging? Or is Robert Roode taking one big victory as too greatly of a boost to his ego and maybe dissecting the wrong man too much?

We head backstage in the halls of The Bell MTS Place where Kayla Braxton is standing by with The Women's Champion Sasha Banks who will be teaming up with The North American Champion Kairi Sane later on tonight....but also in three weeks will be defending her title against an opponent chosen by the wheel, her opponents tonight that The XWL Universe will be voting on will be two of the women that could be on that wheel. So certainly Kayla's hear to bring the scoop and get a word from The Boss.

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
As announced last week, you are going to be defending your XWL Women's Championship against a woman who's to be determined at Dead Man's Hand. Let's review some of the women you called out last week: we have both of the women who are competing tonight in finals of the North American Championship tournament, all five women who are in the poll to decide who'll be fighting you and Kairi Sane tonight, and also the women who you've never been able to pin or submit in a championship match... Natalya.

Of course, the way Kayla Braxton says that regarding Natalya catches the attention of Sasha Banks.



[KAYLA BRAXTON]
Now that it's been a week since the match was announced, how are you feeling about this decision?

The Blueprint stares at the interview from behind her sunglasses for a moment. Moments like this are when Sasha probably wishes she was being interviewed by someone like Charly Caruso or Renee Young. At least they wouldn't bring up her terrible track record against Natalya so soon. Sasha pushes her glasses back up to the top of her nose before taking a deep breath.



Yes, let's remind everyone WHAT THEY ALREADY KNOW because it's no secret that my track record against Natalya is abysmal. You're doing an amazing job, sweetie, but you're no Charly or Renee. How am I feeling about this decision? I'm feeling great and I'm feeling confident. I have an entire division of women hungry for a shot at my championship and I wouldn't want it any other way. There are some nerves there but that's not from a lack of confidence. That's from a lack of knowing what exactly I need to prepare for but that's part of the game that I'm ready to play. Maybe I'm going to be stepping in the ring with a master artist of strong style like Asuka. Maybe I'm going to be stepping in the ring with a genius of the sky like Io Shirai. Maybe I'm going to be stepping in the ring with a former Mixed Martial Artist like Shayna Baszler. You should see me in the gym because I have pushed myself harder this last week than ever before because I need to be prepared for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING at Dead Man's Hand and I hope all these women are doing the same because when you step inside of the ring with me, you get a taste of what the main event feels like. You get a taste of what it feels like to compete at another level. You get a taste of what it feels like to go against the best.

Sasha Banks may have been a 'changed woman' over the last few months in an ongoing attempt to better herself from the woman she once was, but one thing hasn't changed about the Boss: she's still as confident as ever.

Tonight, I am teaming against the one person who we know cannot be on my championship wheel at Dead Man's Hand which is a shame because she's another one of those women who I'd love to go one-on-one with. Kairi Sane - I'm doing you a favor because tonight, you have a partner who's not jealous of your recent success. You have a tag team partner who's not bitter that you are the North American Champion. You have a partner who feels honored to be on the same team as you. You know, now that I think about it, I think we have a lot in common. We are both champions. We are both amazing wrestlers. We both had Harley Quinn-obsessed blondes who were holding us back. If you wanna give me a call after we win tonight, we can meet up and we can discuss doing this again sometime.

As Sasha plays around with the idea of maybe The Boss & Pirate Connection extending beyond tonight...Kayla seems to get a little distracted, but the question is what would distract an interviewer from focusing solely on The Women's Champion they're currently in progress of talking to? Sasha seems to notice that Kayla's just staring off behind her to which she turns around to see what all the fuss is about...and suddenly her expression kind of mirrors Kayla's herself as the camera turns slightly...revealing just what has drawn all the attention elsewhere. Face to face now, stands The Women's Champion Sasha Banks...and the recently returned Natalya Neidhart. The very woman that Kayla mentioned at the start of this interview is right in Sasha's sights now as the two quietly look at one another, before both of their eyes are drawn down to the waist of Sasha to The Women's Championship. While this isn't the belt Natalya held in her infamous 358 day reign...which Sasha was unable to take from her...it still has the very history behind it and seeing these two once best friends, and then historically bitter rivals standing in the same space, with the title where they changed the game forever? It's a moment that's taken with time and care as nothing is said at first until Natalya breaks that silence.

[[[Natalya]]]
Sasha, I see you've done quite well for yourself in my absence...

Once again The Queen Of Harts looks toward The Women's Championship around the waist of The Boss before staring back into her eyes.

[[[Natalya]]]
You've even changed your hair...and apparently become this "reformed" person, huh? You know, I'd love to believe that...but there's just one problem. Your history is pretty damning...isn't it? You've done so many horrible things to me, that I've been thinking...you know, for the 415 days I was stuck at home...after someone broke my neck. WHO could have tried to end my career? WHO would benefit from that? WHO would be so heartless and cruel...and then I remember you attacking my family in my own home, I remember you setting up this elaborate betrayal in the form of a friendly match...I remember you tricking Liv Morgan into being your friend after you almost ended HER career when she was just starting out...doesn't seem like much of a stretch that you could go after another, does it? Especially one that one might say you'd be far better off in this division without...and well, I mean look what's around your waist right now.

You could tell by growing annoyance on Sasha's face that there were numerous things about this confrontation that bothered her. Natalya's voice was quite possibly the most influential voice on the roster. It was hard to believe but Sasha really was trying to be better. Not perfect - not like Natalya once was - because then she'd lose touch of who she is. Not to mention, she's already had so many people pointing fingers at her and accusing her as being the one who attacked Natalya over a year ago.



I want you to read my lips when I say I had NOTHING to do with your attack or putting you out of action for over a year but look, I get it. I'm the easiest person to point a finger at because of our history but if we're looking at history, history also shows that I have no problem running my mouth about the things I've done. I turned on you after luring you into a match, yes. I attacked you, yes. I've beaten you up multiple times, yes. But Natalya, I'm sorry for everything I've ever done or said to you. I was wrong and I was dumb to throw away our friendship for this business and this championship and I'm sorry for that and I'm especially sorry for attacking your father because I can say sorry a million times to you for everything I've ever done - no matter how many times you might want to take my apology and tell me to shove it - but I cannot apologize to him once. I cannot apologize to him at all and it sucks to want an apology from someone who can never give it to you. I don't care how hard I would have had to work for that apology. I would've done it.

That's a thought that has lingered in the head of the Boss for a while now but never has she had the chance to speak it.

Look at me. Don't look at MY CHAMPIONSHIP when I'm speaking to you. Look me in my eyes.

Sasha takes her sunglasses off so that there was nothing between her eyes and Natalya's now.

You've got the wrong woman. I want you to find your attacker and I want you to take that mask off and I want you to realize you're making a mistake by pointing your fingers at me. And if you EVER insinuate again that the only reason I'm champion right now is that you weren't here then whether it be at Dead Man's Hand, on Octane, or wherever, I will fix the one blemish in my career and I will beat you, finally.

It's a compelling moment playing out before us, a mix of Natalya questioning whether or not her attacker was in fact Sasha...a mix of Sasha trying to make amends for what she did, and also Sasha trying to keep her power as Champion by not allowing a clearly frustrated Natalya to cite evidence of her being the one who did it given her current position on top of the division during Natalya's time away.

[[[Natalya]]]
Listen, I'm not looking to rehash this thing between us...in fact I'd prefer to leave it in the past and maybe one day recover what we once had...I want to believe that you've changed...that you aren't that person anymore...but the truth is I don't know if you've finally seen the error of your ways...or just gotten a hell of a lot better at keeping your skeleton's in the closet. IF what you say is true? I'll issue an apology of my own, because trust me I hate looking at every single woman back here wondering if it was them...but that's the reality I'm living in right now. Someone is playing games with me, someone is trying to drive me crazy and they've done a damn fine job of it. I'm not myself, Sasha...and I hate what they've done to me...I fought for so very long to finally reach the top, I then fought for so very long to stay there...and the last 13 months I've had to fight to get back..and I can't even celebrate it because they were literally here the night I returned. They've been here, and I don't know what to do. So if I'm accusing you wrongfully I am sorry, but put yourself in my shoes...especially now that you're Champion...and could get the same target on your back one day..how would you feel right now?

The Blueprint breathes in a heavy breath before she begins to undo her championship which is placed over her shoulder. Sasha stands at the perfect angle for Natalya to get one last good look at the championship that she once held with honor and pride. As the champion spoke up, she made sure to run the tips of her fingers over the silver X that sat in the very middle of the championship.



I feel like I'm done here. Kayla, it was a pleasure. Watch out. She might point fingers at you next.

A smile is flashed at the interviewer but the look on the face of the champion sours as she looks at Natalya. While you can't blame Natalya for assuming that Sasha Banks has the most reason to attack her given the history these two women have shared over the years, you might feel for Sasha Banks when she's put in an effort to change the way people have viewed her only for Natalya to come back and point fingers... but what if this was Sasha Banks' doing? What if it was Sasha Banks who attacked Natalya over a year ago and is now trying to hide what could possibly be her deepest, darkest secret? The world may never know. Regardless, Sasha Banks turns, flicks her blue hair at Natalya, and walks away from the scene which only leaves Natalya and Kayla Braxton standing there.

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
Nattie, do you genuinely think Sasha was behind this?

After watching Sasha walk away, Natalya's sights remain in the distance which The Women's Champion, and a woman Natalya knows very well gets further and further out of her sight. She isn't sure if it's an innocent woman walking away, or a guilty one...and it shows by the conflicted expression her face as she eventually turns back to Kayla.

[[[Natalya]]]
Genuinely I'm not sure what to think anymore. I'd love to believe that Sasha's changed...and you know, maybe she has...but that change is recent...and the incident in question? Happened over 400 days ago...and back then? She was still the same person that did a lot of horrible things to me...including destroying our friendship, and assaulting my family.

Right now has to be a difficult place for The XWL Universe, because on one side...you have Natalya who has been THE Woman in their eyes, she's earned the respect 100 times over, and being apart of her many failures and eventual monumental success...to see her have her career nearly ended, and now return looking for retribution? You want her to get that, you want her to forgo "minding her manners" because someone threw theirs entirely away to break her neck. But then you have Sasha Banks, a woman that at one time was the most hated Woman in this division because of her career choices that threw her friendship away with Natalya. But a lot has changed since then, she underwent a whole different story herself since, she finally saw the error of her ways when someone else basically pulled the same thing on her...and now she's trying to be better, not quite what Natalya is, but a truer version to herself of that very image Natalya has champion for so long. She's earned the respect of the fans again, she's gotten their forgiveness and they celebrated with her as she successfully won The Women's Championship in this year's Final Stand Main-Event. They can't exactly choose sides in this because, neither is really "wrong" at least not at this current place and time.

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
It has been around 430 something days since an attempt was made on your career, and while Sasha Banks has seemingly changed...there is a point that could be made which I think is what you're getting at...that perhaps it was indeed her, and now that she's finally made the steps to better herself and her outlook on her career in this division...your return has caused her to be reminded of something she did so long ago and she's afraid of it coming out because surely it would threaten all of the progress she's made since?

It's an interesting thought to have, that maybe all this time has passed, and whoever did this has changed a great deal since...maybe that person was Sasha and now she's worried the truth will destroy every single bit of good she's done since? Natalya takes a moment to answer, as if she herself were trying to unravel that answer in the mess that must be her mind right now.

[[[Natalya]]]
I hate to come to that conclusion...but and I was trying to get Sasha to understand this...I have to look at any and all possible suspects. The fact is she had motive...and not that walking away signifies guiltiness...but if it really isn't her? And she's so sorry for everything she put me through...if she's so disappointed at never being able to apologize to my father...then maybe she could try to make amends by helping me figure out the truth? That's all I want right now, Kayla.

No one can blame her for wanting to find out the truth behind what happened to her, in fact we're sure Sasha herself deep down CAN understand where Natalya is coming from...but as Women's Champion as someone who has fought so ferociously to rebuild her image? Someone coming in hot and asking those hard questions at someone who ultimately isn't able to just say it wasn't her and that be the end of it? That's a tough position for The Boss. She can say it wasn't her, but the bottom line is there's no proof either way and so that burden has almost fallen on her shoulders unwillingly.

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
Well as you continue to seek the truth, you will be making your return to competition tonight against someone also making their return to the ring. You know her quite well, in fact she's someone who has shown a great deal of respect to you throughout your time in XWL. Talk to me about this match tonight with Bayley.

Getting back into the ring tonight certainly wasn't something she immediately planned to do, but you can tell it's what she needs...sure she needs answers and they will come...but did she really spend all that time busting her butt to come back just to avoid taking a moment to step back and smell the roses?

[[[Natalya]]]
While I've sought answers for the past 13 months...I've also sought the ability to get back to doing what I love. When you reach the top, and become so dominant like I was? It's difficult to hold onto that enjoyment because so many people walk around trying to stifle that enjoyment. I think tonight acts as the match that honestly Bayley and I wanted to have back when I became Women's Champion but unfortunately she kind of got lost in the shuffle, something I know all too well about...and I just look forward to clearing my head and reminding everyone...that I STILL got "it."

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
Before you go, I do have one last question..and let me preface this by saying that I by no means am suggesting this to be the case...however, with a mystery attacker at large for beyond 400 days...you do have to look at everyone and ask yourself this question. So when it comes to Bayley, is there any part of you concerned that maybe even someone like her could be behind this?

It's a valid question to pose, because we've seen a lot of "good" people go "bad" in XWL...Natalya knows all about that too well because she's been a victim of many of them...but we are speaking about someone that has been above all of that. Natalya looks at Kayla again silence filling the air before her mouth opens up and she lets out a sigh.

[[[Natalya]]]
Pointing the finger at every single person is both tiring...and necessary right now. It's tough to stand here and slander someone else's character...that's never been what I'm about...and just talking about Sasha and the possibility wasn't easy. I like to see the good people, but this experience? It's only shown me that there's a lot of "bad" in this entire industry. Some are better at hiding it than others, but sooner or later their true colors come out. And while those colors can change and become brighter and warmer? They also can become dull, and cold.

[KAYLA BRAXTON]
So you're saying there's at least a fraction of you that even looks at someone like Bayley right now?

Kayla pries further, not getting an exact response about Bayley, which we suppose is pretty telling in itself that she didn't outright say no...because like she said, people can absolutely turn over a new leaf for the better after saying and doing horrible things...but it's also possible for good people to suddenly became very bad...it's why Sasha Banks has been kind of at the top of that list because she's undergone a lot of core character changes over the years...some good...but also some very bad. So who's anyone to say that someone else surely isn't capable of the same transformation? Natalya takes a deep breath in before exhaling as she simply says.

[[[Natalya]]]
I guess we'll find out tonight.

With that final quip, she turns around and walks away, off to prepare for her return to in-ring competition tonight against Bayley. We're not quite sure what to make of what she's said, or what conclusions we ourselves are drawing from her wide net she's cast over the entire division that she seems to believe ANYONE could be behind what happened to her, including her opponent tonight. This is supposed to be a traditional match between two respected competitors, but is it possible that there could be more to this than we think? The cameras fade away as we see a concerned Kayla staring off into the distance that Natalya walked off into, before turning her head and looking off into the direction Sasha "stormed" off into.

High Octane fades to the backstage area where we see 'The Bastard' PAC in his locker room. We see that he is working up a sweat as he holds two large dumbbells in each hand. We hear The Bastard let out a grunt each time he pulls the dumbbells from his waist to his chest. Suddenly, he drops the dumbbells. As they clatter to the floor, we see XWL interview Dasha walk into frame with a microphone. PAC looks disgusted.



[Dasha]
Excuse me, PAC but I just wanted to...

PAC snaps at the woman.

The Bastard
PAC
You just wanted to interrupt me! You just wanted to break my focus for tonight's main event! Who sent you here? Huh?! Was it Edge?! Hangman?!

Dasha looks confused.

[Dasha]
No.. I'm just a journalist. I'm just looking to interview you before your match. Is that alright?

PAC doesn't respond but stares a hole through the woman's face. Dasha bravely continues.

[Dasha]
Tonight, you battle 'Hangman' Adam Page for the vacant Intercontinental Championship. What are your thoughts going into the huge main event?

Dasha extends her microphone to the staring Bastard.

The Bastard
PAC
.....

After a few awkward moment of silence, Dasha retracts he microphone.

[Dasha]
How do you feel about your match stipulation being decided by the fans and do you think any of the match options pose a disadvantage to you?

Again, Dasha holds the microphone out for a response.

The Bastard
PAC
.....

Pulling her microphone back again, Dasha sighs.

[Dasha]
Alright... Going into this match, do you have any fears that Hangman Page could beat you like he did at Final Stand.

We see the cold stare of PAC turn into a stare of anger now as his eyes grow wide and his face turn red. Dasha holds the microphone out again.



The Bastard
PAC
Hangman Page did not beat me! Go back and watch the damn match! I destroyed that man just like I am going to destroy him tonight! I don't give a damn if it's Flaming Tables Match, a Falls Count Anywhere Match, or a bloody Ladder Match! Hangman Page is not on my level. You and all of these people are going to witness a massacre tonight. You and all of these people are going to watch me beat this man into an early retirement... and whether I have to pin him somewhere around the arena, climb up and pull down the Intercontinental Champion, or char this man's body on a burning table ...I will walk out of here tonight victorious.

[Dasha]
Last week, you made some headlines when you disrespected the Intercontinental Championship and it's history. Why?



The Bastard
PAC
I said it last week, Dasha. Do I want gold around here? Absolutely, but I want THE gold. I am above the Intercontinental Championship. I am above this entire company... this entire roster. I am above every woman playing patty cake with their little belts. I am above the entire male division. I'm damn sure above Keith Lee... Robert Roode... and tonight I'll show once again that I am above Hangman Page. I believe without any doubt that I have earned a better and bigger opportunity than some measly middle of the pack title.

Dasha scratches her head for a moment and shows another look of confusion.

[Dasha]
Being "above" everyone, by winning the Intercontinental Championship, wouldn't you elevated the title above the World Heavyweigh...

PAC snaps.

The Bastard
PAC
GET THE HELL OUT OF MY LOCKER ROOM!

PAC steps toward the woman, scaring her away. As the woman exits the room, PAC looks to the ground where Dasha was just standing for a moment. He appears to be thinking about what she has just said before quickly shaking his head, snapping out of thought. We hear The Bastard mumble some profanities before going back to his dumbbells that sit on the floor.

Notes From The General Manager's Office:

"For well over 400 days Natalya's been kept away from her very livelihood...all because of the actions of an unknown Woman that delivered a calculating assault to her last year the night after Final Stand. Since then she's had to recover from a broken neck, a broken heart...and a shattered spirit. Not knowing if she'd ever find her way back into the ring, but tonight while I survey the building for any signs of this "mystery attacker" she's able to cut back relax and enjoy the fruits of her labor by competing in her first match in almost 14 months. And who better to be her opponent than someone who's looked up to and supported her all throughout their days in XWL? Bayley's hug life is back in XWL and what better moment for both of them could there be than to allow their returns to coincide with one another as they remind us what a classic battle of respect looks like?"





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SPOILERS AHEAD

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[[Mauro Ranallo]]
After 14 month, Natalya returns to the ring tonight, proving she indeed STILL has "IT!"

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Indeed she does, Mauro and I can attest to Natalya's effort put into this comeback. The moment she got cleared she not only wanted to work off the rust, she wanted to come back somehow better than ever...and how do you do that? By learning new ways to improve your offense, and what we just saw there was a move no other Superstar in XWL has ever done...that was a Tombstone set up into an inverted version of her previous Lungblower that led to so much of her success.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Otherwise known as The Hart Attack 2.0, we thought that was devastating in itself...but having your opponent upside down and utterly helpless? Not to mention the angle in which her knees drove into Bayley's chest upon impact.

[[Corey Graves]]
To put it simple, that was ugly...but for a Woman that's coming back after such a hardship? I'd expect nothing less. We've noticed Natalya isn't as "warm" as she once was, and so her offense needed that coldness to it and it doesn't get any colder than having The Undertaker's very setup to that move before putting her own Neidhart twist onto it.

The audience was promised a showcase between two returning favorites, a battle of respect...and that's exactly what we've witnessed here tonight. Bayley certainly brought the fight and came close to putting The Anvilette away...but in the end? The new ace up Natalya's sleeve secured her the victory and as she stands up proudly the official grabs her arm raising it signifying her win as Bayley lies on the mat grabbing her chest while coughing.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
A tough break for Bayley who unfortunately came up short in what was also her return to the ring but of course she has nothing to be ashamed of losing here tonight.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Certainly not, she proved that she's also comeback ready to reintroduce herself to this very new and packed division full of the best talent around and sometimes it just doesn't work out in your favor but next time is always a different story.

[[Corey Graves]]
I mean sure, but how successful can someone really be when they spend their time hugging everyone?

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Have you conveniently forgotten that Bayley is a former Divas Champion that despite being just a "hugger" overcame five other Women in an Elimination Chamber Match to claim that title? Where she would go on to have a pretty dominant reign of her own? Sure it's been a while but Natalya infamously went 2,945 days without success and then everything changed. And I fully believe that Bayley's going to work hard to reintroduce herself into that conversation.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
It'll be interesting to see if she inquires about The Women's Championship opportunity awaiting one lucky Woman at Dead Man's Hand.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Which as a reminder we're listening and watching closely...so if she or anyone else in the division wants on that wheel? We need to hear it, we need to feel it, and it's as simple as that.

After having her hand lowered by the referee, Natalya turns to see Bayley sitting on the mat grabbing at her chest as she continues to cough, clearly proving how breathtaking, literally...Natalya's new "Tombstone Lungblower" truly is. We have seen a more "hardened" version of Natalya since returning but ultimately at her core she can't help but show respect when it's needed...and after Bayley just gave her one great first match back? She can't just stand there and celebrate, so she leans down and extends her hand out to Bayley who looks up obviously disappointed that tonight didn't go her way. But as she looks up to see Natalya's hand, she immediately grabs it and is pulled to her feet as the two stand there sharing that moment of respect. "Thank you for that, I really needed a match like this to clear my head" Natalya smiles, as Bayley smiles back and says "I don't know what the heck that move was but I hope I never get hit with it again" Bayley chuckles but her coughing stops her playful laugh from last very long.

Standing face to hand, hands interlocked, and smiles on their faces...this moment is amplified by the cheers echoing in the building as this show of respect is truly what this division has missed since these two were last active in it. As Natalya went to let go Bayley shakes he head and says "You're not getting away that easily" and immediately pulls Natalya close into a tight hug as she squeezes her arms around her and Natalya can't help but laugh as she says "NOT SO TIGHT" before returning the hug.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
After seeing all of the pain Natalya's gone through since she suffered that broken neck and nearly had her career brought to an end? It's so nice to see her laughing and smiling again.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Even if only for a moment looks like your husband provided just what the doctor ordered to allow Natalya to clear her head of the insurmountable stress she's been under to find out who her mystery attacker is.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
One of our top priorities is helping her find out who is responsible for the heinous act that occurred last year but it's important for her to get back into the division, to enjoy the ability to compete again and I'm glad it worked out.

Finally Bayley releases her hug and motions for Natalya to enjoy the rest of her celebration. Sure she likely wishes the outcome had been in her favor instead but she's happy for Natalya she knows what she's had to go through and she's glad she could be her opponent in her return match.  After clapping a few times along with the crowd she exits the ring and begins to head up the ramp leaving Natalya to turn her attention to the turnbuckle and quickly mount it as she throws both hands into the air soaking in the warm reception she's receiving from her fellow Canadians.



[[Corey Graves]]
The question at the forefront of everyone's minds right now is WHO was behind the attack that almost ended Natalya's career? Beth has your husband found any leads tonight while Natalya's refocused on her ability to compete?

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Unfortunately not yet, we have cameras at every corner, there's many security officers positioned at strategic areas of the building to survey perimeters as our show broadcasts but nothing out of the ordinary has been spotted yet.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
While she did take your husband's advice and compete tonight, she didn't exactly leave the whole "interrogation" strictly to him earlier when she came face to face with The Women's Champion Sasha Banks.

[[Corey Graves]]
I mean, the fact she got so defensive and walked off was a red flag for me, I don't know about you two.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
To look at it from her perspective it's easy to have that reaction because it seems as if she has rebuilt her reputation, she's made efforts to be better, and having someone asking you if you were behind something so despicable is going to elicit a defensive mechanism in fear that the sheer idea of it is enough to deem her guilty.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
While Natalya obviously conflicted in having to go about things in this manner feels like she can't really trust anyone right now.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
You feel for both sides of what happened earlier, their history sets the tone, and that's hard to move past sometimes. I know Natalya is hellbent on finding out who did this to her, it's all she's thought about since she was cleared to compete again. She wants the truth, and so while she's still the same person at her core...the last thing you think about at a time like this is "minding your manners."

As we return our focus to Natalya she's left the ring and now sits on a barricade in front of fans as she proudly exclaims "Looks like I've still got it." To which her words only draw further support from the fans around her.



For Natalya the crowd has been everything to her, they supported her in her lowest of lows, when she was brandished a failure...they picked her up when she was down and because they stuck by her side she brought them right along for her incredible run as Women's Champion and the months leading up to it. She was THE dominant force of the entire division, and with much time passing since then? Tonight could have easily shown the division surpassing her, that maybe she didn't come back as good as she was...but this match with Bayley and the victory she attained? Proves that The Iron Women of The Women's Division is as strong and resilient as ever.

A fan throws their hand up for a high-five to which Natalya free of her stress for a moment happily obliges when suddenly she's grabbed from behind by her hair and slammed down against the top of the barricade, ending this joyous moment in an instant and turning all cheers to boos as the camera turns and sees a masked woman, covered from head to toe standing in front of the once crowd of people.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
It's the mystery attacker!

[[Corey Graves]]
Apparently there's no need for investigations or surveillance...because they're right here and they're looking to continue where they last left off.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
This is ridiculous, who is this?!

[[Corey Graves]]
I mean I swear I see a little bit of blue hair creeping out of that mask...

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
You see nothing of the sort, Corey will you stop that.

Rather than mocking this moment...they see Natalya on her hands and knees stunned and quickly look to continue their assault. Climbing over the barricade they rush back to their ambush efforts and punt Natalya in the side of her ribs before pulling her up to her feet and tossing her into the ring for all to see what they're about to do. They reach under the ring retrieving a steel chair quite quickly then slide into the ring with it in hand ready to do far more damage. The camera cuts to the stage where Bayley was almost through the curtain, but upon hearing the massive shift in crowd reaction she turned around and immediately began running back down the ramp not allowing this atrocity to go any further.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Oh thank goodness, Bayley's coming to her aid!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
But will she be able to stop her before she puts that steel chair to use?

With their gloved hands wrapped around the chair, they ready to swing right down onto the back of Natalya's head...the very act that led to her broken neck 14 months ago...but before they can swing they spot Bayley hopping onto the apron and not wanting anyone to interfere with their plan they shift their focus over to her swinging the chair toward her, however she side steps along the apron causing the chair to bounce off the ring ropes, then snatches the chair out of their hands. She uses her free hand to send them staggering back with an elbow, then starts to re-enter the ring to put that chair to use...but before she can get more than one foot through, the attacker barrels back at her sending her flying off the apron with a rough landing as her face practically bounces off the chair as she crashed to the floor.

[[Corey Graves]]
We should all aspire to have heroes like Bayley...Beth you might wanna pop your headset off and have a go at it yourself because all Bayley did is play keep-away with the chair and then smack her own face off it.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
She removed the chair from the equation and perhaps might have been able to do much more but they stopped her from entering the ring and unfortunately gave Bayley a nasty spill at that.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Corey you might be right, I'm not about to sit here and let this happen to someone I consider a sister to me.

The sound of a headset crackling as it's pulled off of Beth's head follows but before she can try to do anything Mauro grabs her arm.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Wait a second, Beth...Natalya's up!

While Bayley's heroism didn't entirely go as she had likely hoped...it allowed crucial time for Natalya to recover from the initial shock of it all...and as the mystery mashed Woman stands facing away from her...she pulls herself up to her feet becoming the "stalker" for just a moment as she awaits them to turn around and the second they do she completes a full rotation as she dam-near takes their head off with a brutal discus clothesline that brings the audience to a thunderous roar of cheers. "NATTIE! NATTIE! NATTIE!" they chant as she looks at the temporary stunned assailant of hers and decides she's not going to go directly for the mask this time. She tried this when she returned and if tonight is going to end differently? She needs to leave them too hurt to run away and hide for another week. The same crackle follows that we heard as Beth returns her headset and proudly exclaims.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
LET'S GO NATTIE!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
The roles have reversed in this moment, the mystery attacker is now right where Natalya wants her...and I think she's ready to unearth this mystery, Corey.

[[Corey Graves]]
She's certainly waited a long time for this exact moment.

She grabs them by their hand yanking them off of the mat, then grabs them into a cradle like position before shifting their weight around to a TOMBSTONE position...the very move she just unveiled to the world to defeat Bayley...is about to happen again, and this time when she hits it? She's going to rip that mask off and what happens next? Will certainly be anything but "pretty" because given how Natalya's behaved lately? Hell hath nothing like a scorned Natalya! She positions the attacker, then prepares to follow through with the drop down onto her knees, but as she went to do so, they wiggle free out of her grasp collapsing to the mat and IMMEDIATELY hightailing it out of the ring.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Oh come on, they're running away again?!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Natalya was just one move away from rendering their defenseless from having the mask ripped off!

[[Corey Graves]]
Wait a minute guys, she's going after them!

Natalya shakes her head and shouts "YOU'RE NOT GET AWAY FROM ME AGAIN, GET BACK HERE BITCH!" She rolls out of the ring as the attacker hops the barricade nearly tripping in the process due to their haste but they avoid fulfilling that horror movie trope. Natalya climbs over the barricade behind them charging after them, the attacker pushes through a crowd of people, even going as far as shoving one of the fans into the way of Natalya stopping her in her tracks then proceeds even deeper into the crowd. Natalya carefully navigates past the fans but due to her nature she's not exactly one to shove a bunch of people, especially people who were just celebrating with her aside. But unfortunately as she politely passes through the dispersing crowd, she comes to the end of it and starts frantically looking around as she's lost sight of the masked woman. "Where did she go?!" She yells out, hoping the fans saw something but the ones near her were too focused on trying to get out of her way that they themselves seemed to lost Natalya's fleeing assailant's whereabouts.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
They were just there! Where could they have gone?

[[Corey Graves]]
Whoever that was, they seem to be able to get away just when Natalya's within moments of unmasking them...I don't know who it could be...but I mean, do I need to point out how quick they were...and how our Women's Champion is the type that could easily slip into the shadows in a chase like that?

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Corey enough, now's not the time for that!

Frustrated doesn't even begin to describe the look on Natalya's face as she claws her nails into her hair and screams "DAMMIT!" Realizing that they got away again, and even on a night where she tried to just relax and be a competitor again, that moment was now spoiled by their attempted ambush. Even assistance from Bayley, along with changing up her strategy once she had them right within her reach...wasn't enough to uncover the truth behind this mystery, and what much more can anyone say other than how tough it is to see Natalya standing in the crowd as she shoves a trashcan over in anger, and kicks it across the aisle. She just wants to know who tried to end her career? Who broke her neck? Who has hid in the shadows ALL THIS TIME? Unfortunately tonight she was once again deprived that answer.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Ugh, I hate seeing her like this...

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
I think we all do, Beth...she's at her wit's end...even the joy of returning after such a long absence cannot overturn the anger that comes from having the person who caused it not only STILL around...but also STILL unknown.

[[Corey Graves]]
Whoever it is, they seem to be determined to keep their identity a secret...but the question beyond WHO it is...is WHY are they doing this?

[[Beth Phoenix]]
For Natalya's sake I hope we find out soon...she shouldn't have to watch over her shoulder at every waking moment, she shouldn't have to go around accusing everyone she comes across, and she shouldn't have her hard fought return to the ring be overshadowed by the realization that her boogeyman still lurks in this division...and they apparently can strike when she least expects it.

[Corey Graves]
That image of all the the women who could have the honor of facing The Women's Champion Sasha Banks and her partner The North American Champion, Kairi Sane. Mia Yim was already chosen. Who will join Mia Yim? Who do you two think was be the best partner to compliment her?

[Beth Phoenix]
All those women are talented up there. Still, you want someone who fits your style and can be on the same page as others. Charlotte may be a great wrestler and for sure could be a good partner but I wonder if the ego of hers and Mia would cause friction

[Mauro Ranallo]
Beth makes a good point. The same could be said of Tenille. Asuka is a physical force and her style and Mia's would compliment each others for sure but Asuka's anger has burned her before. Sarah Logan is someone fresh but her inexperience might be the teams undoing. I- wait...I heard we are gonna learn the results right now as Mia's partner is gonna be interviewed right now!

The scene of the announcers talking fade away slowly and cut to Renee Young. Renee Young stands outside of the training room in the arena. The sound of flesh hitting something echos behind Young

[Renee Young]
Standing in that gym is the person who shall partner with Mia Yim tonight to face not one but two champions! We've built up the suspense enough! Let's go see who it is

As Renee Young enter the gym and the camera follows the grunts and striking noise gets louder. And as you get closer it not even a heard guess on who Mia's partner will be for tonight. The aggressive yelling. The colorful hair. The pure anger that is put into every strike of the sandbag in front of her.. The sound of people alert her and she turns around, a snarl on her face. Renee Young and the rest of the XWL Universe stand in front of The Empress of tomorrow. Asuka. Unfortunately Asuka doesn't look in the mood for company.

[Renee Young]
Hold on there Asuka. I'm just here to get a word from you and to inform you that you have been chosen to be one of the women to fight Sasha Banks and Kairi Sane tonight. Are you surprised? Excited? Nervous?

{Asuka}
I chosen...?

Asuka eyes widen in shock. Cleary she wasn't expecting to be chosen tonight. Maybe why she was pouring so much energy in her workout. Whatever shock she may have been feeling is replaced be realization however. And that leads the her grinning. Something that is quite unnerving to Renee

{Asuka}
That...That perfect! I could not think of better thing to happen tonight. A chance to face Women's Champion and test my growth. I have trained so very very hard. I have lived in gym, honed my craft for a chance to prove myself to everyone but mostly, prove to myself. Prove that Asuka more dangerous than ever.

[Renee Young]
Do you have any response to the comments Sasha Banks has said about you last week?

Asuka's face becomes an instant scowl. There's a fire in the dark eyes of hers

{Asuka}
Sasha disrespect me. I sure if I have as many one on one chances as her for title I win too. Overhyped? Me? That word describe Sasha's whole career. She talk a lot for woman who not stepped in ring with me in a long time. But now she will. Now she will fight me and I will make her swallow her words...and some teeth. I will not disrespect from anyone. Champion or not. But Sasha not who I focus on tonight. Sasha not who will feel my wrath. It will be...Kairi Sane!

[Renee Young]
You do have a history with Sane. But a brief one. Why so much anger towards her?

Asuka looks at Renee in astonishment. As if she can't believe she's asked her that question. The answer should be beyond obvious! At least to the Empress

{Asuka}
...Why I angry towards Sane? You serious? Look, anyone who ally themselves with Bliss is on my kill list! If your friend with Alexa, you enemy to me. Cause Bliss will always be my number one enemy. And when I enter Elimination chamber a year ago almost...I walk in on top of the world. I walk in prepared to do two things. Destroy Alexa...and  win title I work so hard for. But neither of those things happen. Because Alexa and Sane team up on me! And they have to cause I better than both! I beat Sane in one on one match AND I eliminate every member of her team on my own in elimination match before chamber! I have have number and tonight...I have my revenge! Revenge shape me. My anger will be my ally and tonight...I lay waste to the Pirate Princess!

Asuka is almost huffing and puffing as she finished. It's clear that the time away from the ring hasn't cooled Asuka down or changed her perspective on things. She is almost more angry than when she first left

[Renee Young]
You seem very excited for your match. However these aren't the only women who have their sights set on you. Tenille Dashwood wants to take you out the picture and she said cryptically that she knows something that everyone else doesn't about you. What might that be and will that affect you in tonights match?

Asuka rolls her eyes at the mention of Tenille. Asuka had intended to just use her as a stepping stone. She didn't expect to have to deal with her for so long. Dashwood has become a problem. And Asuka knows how she likes to deal with problems

{Asuka}
Tenille is bug. Cockroach. I squash bugs. She not even close to my level. There nothing she can do to hurt me! Nothing she say can hurt me. But when I get my hands on her I can hurt her. And I will do just that. I make her pay! I not let her distract me from true goal tonight. Beating both Women Champions. If Tenille wanted to be on my list then she can be. I suffered humiliation. I suffered loss. Everyone will pay! Everyone will feel my wrath! Now, who my partner? Who help me wring their necks tonight?

[Renee Young]
Well it's actually going to be-

Right on cue, the camera pans out slightly as the sound of footsteps enter the room...and there stands her partner for the evening, Mia Yim.

[[Mia Yim]]
Looks like I'm not so much of an "afterthought" after all, huh?

She snickers as she further strolls into frame, walking up to Asuka and Renee Young as she reveals herself as The Empress Of Tomorrow's partner tonight against both Champions of the division.

[[Mia Yim]]
What were you saying when I walked in? Everyone will pay? Everyone will feel your wrath? Now that's something I can get on board with...because if anyone knows a thing or two about being humiliated...suffering loss...and being wronged in their career? It is me, The Head Baddie In Charge that was forcefully removed from not only this company but apparently everyone's memories too. Now where are my manners...

Mia looks up at Asuka, slowly extending her open palm toward her as her eyes meet Asuka's.

[[Mia Yim]]
Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Mia Yim..and I too like wringing necks, or in my case...snapping them as they foolishly choose not to head my warnings and protect them....and it looks like we're partners tonight.

Asuka looks at the outstretched hand and into Mia's eyes. The tension is obvious. About as obvious as Asuka's distrust of people. Still, The Empress slowly but surely grasp Mia's hand and shakes it

{Asuka}
You no need to introduce yourself. I know you. I study past of XWL and I remember you. You won the title. Ended Layla career. And beat Sasha twice. All in one run. And then you just...disappeared one day. You lethal striker. very talented

Asuka does something not normally seen from her. In a short bow Asuka shows respect to Mia Yim, surprising both other women and the people watching at home

{Asuka}
Of all partners, you probably best pick. You pull your own weight so that make things easier. But...how americans say it? There...rhyno in room?

Mia looks lost as she turns to look at Renee who thinks for a second

[Renee Young]
...I think she means Elephant in the room

{Asuka}
Yes! That! Elephant. You...probably not trust me. After everything you go through you probably not trust anyone. I understand cause I not trust people either. I not like having my fate in other person's hands. But...We have common enemies. Sane has to pay. I will do whatever I have to to make sure that happen tonight. And Sasha disrespect BOTH of us. How do I say...I watch your back if you watch mine?

The "H.B.I.C" looks ahead, leaning forward as if she were actually looking behind Asuka, then looking over her own shoulder at her back.

[[Mia Yim]]
I think I can manage that...the question now is are they ready...for US. Because tonight isn't just some viewer's choice spectacle that we're being roped into...no, this right here? This is opportunity, this is a moment where we get to put not only the world...but this division? On notice that we are here, we are hungry,...and through that hunger the only thing that will satisfy us? Is vengeance...yours may be different from mine, but the only way to ensure either of us are able to "eat?" Is to join together, and show them what The Head Baddie In Charge...and The Empress? Are truly capable of.

Asuka's response is simply a savage grin. While they might be coming from different routes, the destination is clear. And that destination leads to the two best the Women's division has to offer. The only question is, who will be ready for who later tonight?

As a video begins to play, we see what appears to be blurry fan cellphone footage of an ambulance in the distance with it’s red and white lights flashing. We look to be in the parking lot of an arena as we see a door to the arena swing open, slamming into the wall. Quickly, a group of XWL medical staff rush through the door. Behind them, emergency medical staff push a stretcher out the door. As the group hurry to the ambulance, we hear them shouting.

[EMT]
GET THOSE DOORS OPEN! WE GOTTA GO!

[Medical Staff Member]
Stay with us, buddy! We gotta get you to the hospital!

We see the back doors of the ambulance pulled open by EMTs standing by. Everyone surrounds the stretcher now, lifting it and the man on it into an ambulance. Leaving the XWL medical staff behind, the EMTs climb into the ambulance and peel off, wailing the ambulance's siren. After a few moments with it’s siren fading the ambulance, the ambulance fades in the distance. The XWL medical staff begins making their way back toward the arena door.

[Medical Staff Member 1]
What the hell happened to him?

[Medical Staff Member 2]
He got jumped after his match. The OC…

[Medical Staff Member 1]
At least he’s responsive…

[Medical Staff Member 2]
He got the snot knocked out of him though. Doubt we’ll ever see him again.

As the staff make there way back into the arena, closing the door behind them, the video takes a hard cut to a black screen. The words “One Week Later” in white letter appears.

We transition to a shot behind a man pulling his wheeled suit case through a busy airport. The man makes his way through a crowd of people trying to find their bag at the baggage claim area. People begin to notice this man as we see their eyes grow wide, some jaws even drop. As he continues toward a lobby, more heads turn toward the man and some people begin to follow. The man struggles to make his way through the lobby now as people are crowding him now. The call his name and hold out memorabilia and merchandise for him to sign. We hear the man speak as subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen.

...
ごめんなさい。 たぶん別の時間。
"Sorry everyone. Maybe another time."

These words stop the people in their tracks, not wanting to disrespect the man’s wishes. Still focused behind him, we see the man push a door open. It looks to be very crowded outside as well, but the man continues toward the street ahead. After a few seconds, the man approaches a Bentley Mulsanne with tinted windows. A professional man approaches from the car.

...
お待ちしております。
"We've been waiting for you."

The professional man opens the trunk of the car, placing the man we’ve been following’s suitcase inside. Opening the back door of the expensive car, the man we’ve been following gets inside. A split second after closing the door, a new voice is heard.

...
中村晋輔…久しぶりのライバル。
"Shinsuke Nakamura... It's been a long time, my former rival."

Inside the car now we see Shinsuke Nakamura sitting next to an XWL alumni.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
棚橋ひろし…久しぶりです。
"Hiroshi Tanahashi... It's been a long time."

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
それは、私はまだ私たちの最後の試合をとても鮮やかに覚えています。 信じられない…
"It has, I still remember our last match so vividly. I can’t believe it’s been…"

Nakamura interrupts Tanahashi. Meanwhile, the driver of the car enters the vehicle and turns on the engine.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
どうしてここに飛んだの？ 日本に戻る？
"Why did you fly me over here? Back to Japan?"

Tanahashi smirks, glancing over at a focused Nakamura.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
私はあなたと話す必要があります、しかし私は電話でそれをすることはできませんでした。 私はあなたにこの対面を聞いてもらう必要があります。 運転者？
"I need to talk to you, but I couldn’t just do it over the phone. I need you to hear this face to face. Driver?"

Tanahashi looks toward the driver, motioning for him to drive away from the airport.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
何を聞いたの？ 私は家族をカナダに戻してここに来ました。 これは重要だとおっしゃっていましたが、それは何ですか。
"Hear what? I left my family back in Canada to be here. You said this was important, so what is it?"

We see Tanahashi bit his lower lip before answering.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
進介の経歴についてお話したいと思います。 あなたは…まあ…
"I wanted to speak to you about your career, Shinsuke. You’ve… well…"

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
私は何ですか？
"I’ve what?"

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
変わった、信輔。 あなたは変わりましたが、良くはありません。 あなたは私がここ日本で戦った同じライバルではありません、そしてこれに気付いたのは私だけではありません。ここのファンも同様に気づきました。 君は…
"You’ve changed, Shinsuke. You’ve changed and not for the better. You are not the same competitor that I battled here in Japan and it’s not just me that has noticed this, your fans here have noticed as well. You…"

Tanahashi is interrupted.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
本当に私をここに連れてきて、私を講義しただけですか？ もしそうなら、私はここに来るのを先延ばしにしている重要なXWLビジネスを持っているので、車を止めることができます。
"Did you really bring me here just to lecture me? If so, we can just stop the car because I’ve got important XWL business that I’ve postponed to come here."

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
以上です。 「重要なXWLビジネス」、それは今それが何であるか？ あなたは今、もう1人のXWL従業員ですか？ 覚えているしんすけは傭兵…キラーだった。 私が覚えている中村晋輔は、囚人の態度をとらなかったのを覚えています。 あなたは「ビジネス」だけに関心がありますか？ お金？ 競合他社はどうなりましたか？ レスラーはどこに行ったのですか？ あなたは「ビジネス」についてかもしれませんが、私は石の冷たい殺し屋がまだあなたの中にいることを知っています。それが私があなたをここに連れてきた理由です。 私はあなたをかつてあなたが悪いお尻にしたものとあなたを再接続したかったです。 教えてください、晋助…なぜOCはあなたを攻撃したと思いますか？
"So that’s it, Shinsuke. “Important XWL business”, that’s what it is now? You are just another XWL employee now? The Shinsuke I remembered was a mercenary… a killer. The Shinsuke Nakamura I remember had a take no prisoners attitude but now? You only care about “business”? The money? What happened to the competitor? Where did the wrestler go, Shinsuke? You may be about “business”, but I know that stone cold killer is still inside of you and that’s why I brought you here. I wanted to reconnect you with what made you the bad ass you once were. Tell me, Shinsuke… why do you think The OC attacked you?"

This question brings silence to Shinsuke Nakamura as we see him looking out the window now. He sighs and gives a halfhearted response.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
わからない…彼らは注意や何かを望んでいた。
"I don’t know… they wanted attention or something."

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
確かに彼らは注意を望んだが、名簿上の他の誰かを攻撃したかもしれない。 なぜ彼らはあなたを選んだのですか？
"Sure they wanted attention, but the could have attacked anyone else on the roster. Why did they choose you?"

Again, Nakamura is silent. Tanahashi answers the question for him.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
彼らはあなたが弱いと思います、シンスケ。 彼らはあなたがあなたが最も簡単なターゲットだと思ったのであなたを選びましたが、あなたは信輔ではありません。 数年前、あなたはXWLで世界のトップにいました。 ここ日本でXWLイベントの見出しをつけた後、突然姿を消し、戻ってきたときに同じ人物ではありませんでした。 その年の国際事件の後に何が起こりましたか？ あきらめましたか 出身地を忘れましたか？ XWLのような会社に着くまでの苦労を忘れましたか？
"They think you’re weak, Shinsuke. They chose you because they thought you were the easiest target, but you’re not Shinsuke. I remember years ago you were on top of the world in XWL. You even headlined an XWL event here in Japan, then you suddenly vanished and when you returned, you were never the same person. What happened after International Incident that year? Did you give up? Did you forget where you came from? Did you forget the struggle to even make it to a company like XWL?"

Nakamura sighs again, looking back to Tanahashi.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
あなたが正しい。 認めたくありませんが、迷っています。
"You’re right. I don’t like to admit it, but I feel lost."

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
なぜ続けるの？ あなたは3つの生涯を続けるのに十分なお金を持っていますが、それでも競争し続けます。 どうして？
"Why do you continue? You have enough money to last you three lifetimes, yet you continue to compete. Why?"

Nakamura looks around the car for a moment, trying to find an answer. He looks back to Tanahashi.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
私は最高になりたいです。 史上最高のヒロシになりたいです。
"I want to be the best. I want to go down in history as the best, Hiroshi."

Tanahashi cracks a smile.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
まあ、あなたは確かにそのようなパフォーマンスを行っていませんが、今日の後で、あなたは軌道に戻ると思います。 運転手、車を止めて。
"Well you sure haven’t been performing like it but I feel after today, you’ll be back on track. Driver, stop the car."

Nakamura looks confused as the car pulls up to a building with a sign that reads:

CHAOS WRESTLING DOJO

The sign brings life to Nakamura’s eyes and he opens the door, hurrying out of the car. As we once again follow the back of Shinsuke Nakamura, we swings open the Dojo door and is met with cheers and applause as he enters the building. Tanahashi slowly approaches a shocked Shinsuke Nakamura.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
昔の安定した仲間と一緒に一日のトレーニングをすることで、心の中に何か助かります。 かつての冷酷な殺し屋にあなたを連れ戻す。
"I hope that spending the week training with your old stable mates will spark something in you, Shinsuke. Bringing you back to the ruthless killer you once were."

As Nakamura’s former Japanese stablemates approach him with smiles, Nakamura is still in shock.

[Shinsuke Nakamura]
ともひろ！ 矢野！ ロッキー！ さらに…Rainmaker！
"Tomohiro! Yano! Rocky! and even… The Rainmaker!"

We see Nakamura greet each wrestler with a smile, Hiroshi Tanahashi backs out of the dojo.

[Hiroshi Tanahashi]
頑張ってね、晋助。 日本のファンはあなたのキャリアを非常に興味深く見守っています。
"Good luck, Shinsuke. The Japanese fans will be watching your career with great interest."

We follow Tanahashi out the door. As the door closes, we hear the voice of “The Rainmaker” on the other side.

[The Rainmaker]
愉快さで十分です。 強いスタイルのキングを復活させる時が来ました！
"Enough with the pleasantries. It’s time we bring back The REAL King of Strong Style!"

The video fades out on a still shot of the Dojo door.

A hazy purple mist takes up the screen. Through the mist you see a hand holding a glass of red wine. The hand ever so lightly ascends up. The camera follows to find the face of none other than The Velveteen Dream. Taking a tiny sip he lays his eyes on the camera and you the viewer

Velveteen Dream
The Dream would like to start off with an apology. The Dream apologizes for not being there, entertaining the good people of...

Dream trails off as he suddenly looks at his phone. Scrolling up his face lights up with realization

Velveteen Dream
...Winnipeg, Canada. The Dream would have liked to have competed. and given you a show you would never forget. But alas, it just wasn't in the cards for The Dream. But! The Dream wouldn't deny you the privilege of seeing The Dream. But...you know who would? The Undertaker. The Undertaker would do exactly that. For a week ago the Undertaker almost struck me down with lightning in that very ring you see. When the Undertaker returned there was no one more excited than me. Before The Dream was The Dream he was a wrestling fan first. Seeing someone you grew up watching on tv return, even if it ends with you being on the receiving end of a beating, it's unexplainable. But...The Dream was dissapointed

The Dream sets his glass down and even removes his glasses. The look on his face is angered look. The first look of anger we've seen out of The Dream recently

Velveteen Dream
That...that thing walking around isn't The Undertaker. Not The Undertaker i'm willing to accept. The Dream wanted the Deadman! The Dream wanted the Phenom. Instead...The Dream received someone who was concerned with money. The Dream was given someone who would align themselves with Teddy Long. This is a slap in the face to The Dream! Interrupting my moment...that's never a good idea but if you are gonna do it you better have a good reason for why you're doing it. This...this is an insult to my memories as a child and The Dream will not stand around and let anyone tarnish his memories so I see myself with only one choice before me...

The Dream holds his glasses up and points to the third lens that lays atop the two others

Velveteen Dream
This right here is The Dream's third eye. With this third eye The Dream can see many things. One of those things is the future. And your future Taker is being defeated by me at Dead Man's Hand. An Ironic name for sure. We will reveal our hands and I will tell you right now The Dream will throw down a royal flush. Your future Taker...is to lose to the Dream but do not be sad. For this loss will preserve the legacy that you are trying so hard to ruin. The Dream is doing you a favor. Will you accept? Or do you need to ask Teddy first?

The Dream smiles condescendingly as he lifts his glass once again and the camera starts to fade to black

[Corey Graves]
Asuka and Mia win!

[Mauro Ranallo]
What a big win for the two of them over the champions of this division

[Beth Phoenix]
You have to know Asuka is loving this

Sure enough Beth is right. Asuka pops off of Kairi Sane with what can only be described as a war cry. All the anger, the hate, the distain Asuka has built up in her heart for Kairi since the chamber was unleashed in that kick to the head and in the scream of victory. Mia enters the ring but her focus isn't on Sane. Her stare goes to Sasha who was indisposed via the Package Piledriver from Mia. Asuka meanwhile notices Mia behind her and follows her line of vision to Sasha. Kairi Sane finally rolls out of the ring and is handed her precious North American Championship

[Beth Phoenix]
What a message both of these women have sent. However, Sasha was not pinned

[Mauro Ranallo]
While that is true, Sasha dismissed both of these women a week before. I think being in the ring with both of them has shown her that while she might be the best, it won't be a cake walk against either

Sasha is finally given her Women's Championship as she too starts on her way up the ramp. She faces what could be either of her opponents at Dead Man's Hand as she walks backwards up the ramp. Both Mia and Asuka walk to the ropes. Mia gestures the belt around her waist meanwhile Asuka points right at Sasha's title and back at herself. Slowly though, both women look towards one another. While they worked well as a tag team, the match is over. Both of them want that title badly which makes them nothing more than rivals at this point. Mia mouths something that can't be heard at Asuka who simply licks her teeth and smiles savagely. The image of their stare down brings an end to this match

The music starts sending the crowd into a frenzy as the lights take a purple and green tint. Jeff Hardy emerges from the backstage area out onto the stage, looking around with a smile across his face. He takes a moment, moving from one end of the stage to the other before then moving down the ramp. He makes his way down, high fiving members of the XWL universe before then making his way into the ring. He rushes the turnbuckle, jumping onto it and striking one of his signature poses.



Following this, he jumps down, moving to the center of the ring where he calls for a mic. A few moments pass and he is given one. He smiles, thanking the man who brings it then looks around to the crowd before opening his mouth for the first time.

[Jeff Hardy]
Thank you for that.

He says, turning to the hot crowd here tonight.

[Jeff Hardy]
Truly and honestly from the bottom of my heart thank you for that reaction. That fire from all of you. I couldn't of expected that in a million years because as many of you know, I've had a bumpy past in XWL. I haven't been the most accoladed superstar on the roster when I was one. And then my times here have been rougher because I stay maybe a month? Two? Then I disappear. But this time, that changes.



[Jeff Hardy]
This time, I right the wrong that has been my XWL career. Something that I haven't been able to do in my life yet. This time, not only am I here, I'm here to make an impact. I'm here to rewrite my history, rewrite my story and step out of my own darkness and into the light that is, XWL. And what a better way than returning against the one and only AJ Styles?



[Jeff Hardy]
AJ, I've known you for a very long time. We've had some classics all around the world. But tonight, isn't the old Jeff Hardy. And it isn't the old AJ Styles. Tonight is a clash of a returning XWL World Champion and a guy, from North Carolina with one dream. That dream, to-



Jeff is cut off by none other than the other option for AJ Styles to fight tonight



Rising out of the smoke like a phantom there stands none other than Aleister Black. The crowd cheer at the sight of the lethal striker known as Black. Slowly and methodically he walks towards the ring. Eyes cloudy and unreadable even as he steps towards the ropes. But his eyes...his eyes never leave Jeff Hardy. Black is handed a mic as he speaks for the first time in months



{Aleister Black}
There is light. There is dark. And somewhere in the middle is Aleister Black. When I decided to return to XWL I didn't want to return just for the sake of fighting. I have proved that my physical attributes speak for themselves. It is no question that I have shaped my body into a most powerful tool. But there is a more powerful tool then my elbows. Something that hits harder than my knees. Something even sharper than my kicks. And it is my mind. My morals. And my purpose. That is what I was lacking in my earlier times in XWL. And through my meditation I have found my purpose. I have been waiting to explain it and you Jeff Hardy...Have given me the perfect time to do that

Jeff looks as confused as everyone else as Aleister gives his attention towards Jeff



{Aleister Black}
Balance is what I seek. Cause balance is what keeps the world in order. No man, no woman, should be too light or too dark. No person should be too naively kind cause it breeds weakness and no person should be too needlessly cruel cause that kills empathy. There is a balance and everyone has a role to play in life. You, Jeff Hardy...have not played your role. You Jeff Hardy, lean way too far to one side. And you people may think it's the light side but I promise...It isn't. Your hero Jeff leans towards the dark!

The crowd is beginning to boo but Aleister simply points to Jeff and then the crowd

{Aleister Black}
It's easy to be lead astray. Easy to be fooled by the bright colors. By the fast lifestyle. But Hardy is not a good that he pretends to be. He's weak. He's a virus that infects the weak minded. He's a coward!

The crowd are audibly showing their disdain for Black while Hardy can't believe what he's hearing. He's never had a real problem with Aleister so this all feels like it's coming out of nowhere



{Aleister Black}
How many times have you failed drug test? How many times have you walked out on these people you claim to love so much? How many times have you thrown your career away and wasted your potential? Many many times. And every time you come back we're expected to welcome you with open arms. To accept your failures while you leech off their support, never taking responsibility for your actions. You aren't the Hero here in XWL. You're the villain. You are the disease. And I am the cure. Things are going to change around here. The sins of this place speak to me. I can feel it when I step in the building. And I'm here to absolve all of XWL of it's sins. I will vanquish the villains and put my heel on the necks of the false heroes. Until they all fade to black

Jeff seems a bit taken back by this, rubbing his face with his hand before raising his mic.

[Jeff Hardy]
You know Aleister, I'm actually a fan of yours. I like your style, your aura, hell, your ink. I've followed you for a lot of your career and I'm sure you didn't know that. But this, this wasn't what I expected from you. It's no secret I've had my own demons that have been on my back for most of my life. But when faced down by your demons you have a choice. To let them shape you, or to vanquish them.



[Jeff Hardy]
I have done everything in my power to defeat them. Sometimes I lost, but I always tried my best to bounce back. Not just for me, but for the people who support me. The people who want me to succeed. I fought for years to stop my addiction and here I stand, ready to fight a brand new fight. But yet, that's going to haunt me for the rest of my career. There will always be someone who brings it up and calls me out on my past.

Hardy nods as the crowd chants his name, taking a moment to collect his thoughts. He then shrugs as he continues to speak.

[Jeff Hardy]
Maybe I am the villain in some people's stories Black. Maybe I'm the hero. That's not for me to decide how the others see me. All I can do is try and give respect that's been earned and earn it from my peers. If they only choose to see the bad, much like you seem to, then what can I do to stop that? But if you want to absolve me of my sin, why wait for Styles, man?

Hardy drops the mic, stepping forward to Black who doesn't flinch. The two stand face to face, a moment a lot of fans might have dreamed of. Aleister almost grins in this moment when the scene is interrupted by another theme.





The arena erupts into a frenzy as The Phenomenal One emerges out onto the stage. He has his neck bent towards the ground as he awaits the perfect moment, right when the beat drop, before springing up, snatching this hood off his head and revealing the all too well known used car salesman smile. he waists no time heading straight for the ring, and the two possible choices for his opponent tonight. as he climbs the steel step and slides through the ropes he pulls a mic from his jacket pocket.



{AJ Styles}
Excuse me, but lets cut through the bullshit, and see if i can understand what going on here. Maybe you two can help me out. Last week, I go to our ole GM, Edge’s office. I don’t request a meeting. I don’t ask his assistant, AKA his wife, for a meeting with him, he’ll I don’t even knock. I bust right through the door to show him this this is without a shadow of a doubt the face, that runs the place. I walk in and demand the opportunity to showcase exactly what I am capable of inside the squared circle. To prove that I’m my absence, I have not lost “it”. Quite the contrary in fact, AJ Styles is better than he has EVER been before. Edge being the “smart” man he is, agrees that High Octane would be the best place to make my in ring return. He agreed that this match should be determined by The OC’s fans. He agreed that this match would be a HUGE draw. He agreed that one of the voting choices should be both of the choices, so I can truly prove how Phenomenal I am. What we DIDN’T agree on however, is the two clowns standing before me that would be the choices for me to compete against tonight.

Styles turns to Black.

{AJ Styles}
His first choice is some outlaw viking freak show that isn’t sure if he wants to be some off brand hack Undertaker, or if he missed his True Blood audition. That’s tight Aleister, I’m talking about you. You come down here and talk about the true nature of people. How they are either too good and shining in the light, or too evil and hiding in the darkness. The only true in between is, let me guess, you? And your plan is to exterminate anyone that leans to far to one side or the other? Newsflash buddy. The world is NEVER as simple as black and white. There are MANY grey areas. Your career in fact is one of them. Are you one hell of a performer? Are you loved by die hard wrestling fans? Are you entertaining? Without a doubt. But do you also always seem to fail when it truly matter here in this ring? Do you always confuse absolutely everyone when you put the microphone to your mouth? YES. So instead of coming out here and making a fool of yourself why dont step your ass back until I need you for something, got that buddy?



{AJ Styles}
And you. Jeff Hardy. A name that used to mean something in the wrestling business. But i believe you said it best. You ran your own name through the mud. you became an unreliable employee coming and going as you pleased, if you even showed up at all. However you and i both know that was nothing new. We all know how much you like your Smack and the Big C. Even when you are clean, you abilities just aren't up to the task to make it as anything more than a mid carder. You sit in your brothers shadow, and that's where you'll be until the day you die. Your brother was a World Champion here in XWL. what have you done? what makes you think you deserve to stand in this ring with the likes of me?

Styles releases his focus from hardy and now adresses the duo before him.

{AJ Styles}
Either of you? you two don't deserve to lace my boots, yet here we are in a predicament that our "Almighty" GM has put us in. head my words, the both of you. In case you haven't noticed by now, im pissed. Im pissed at Edge. Im pissed at the little JBL wannabe Paul Heyman. but most importantly im pissed at Brock Lesnar. That caveman has been told hes a beast his entire career. Im here to kill that lie and prove he is simply a man. and i don't care if its Jeff Hardy, Aleister Black, or the both of you. I am here to prove a point and i'll be damned if i let either of you stand in my way!


As though on queue for this bickering to end the lights dim and the voting comes across the screen. And in this moment it is revealed that this match will in fact be.....




























As the match ends, the slimeball known as AJ Styles slithers from the ring, hands above his head in victory. He's done here, as he's proven his point in his return match here on High Octane but one has to think that maybe Black and Hardy were too focused on each other which allowed Styles to get the win. Either way, the two men who had words prior to the match stand in the ring, neither being victorious.

There's a pause as Hardy steps forward towards Black who stares him down, both holding their bodies in pain after the stellar match they just put on with Styles. Hardy takes a moment and then extends a hand to Black who looks down at it, almost confused for a moment. Black looks back up at Hardy, nodding before he slowly brings his own hand up. And, before they can shake, Black spins and unleashes a Black Mass which connects with the side of Hardy's head. Hardy hits the mat hard as Black stands above him. This moment, being the last they see before yet another add break.

Play between 0:24-1:52 of match vid for maximum immersion



Play between 1:57-2:57 of match vid for maximum immersion






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Lesnar rises to his feet, fresh off his decimation and subsequent double knockout of the Good Brothers following a thunderous double F5 that sent the Bell MTS Place into rapture. The Good Brothers were up for the fight, no doubt, but even with the 2 on 1 odds in their favor, this was always gonna be an uphill climb for them as MMA Rules obviously favored the former UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world. The entire arena thought for just a split second, that The Beast was KO'd when Anderson shocked the world by hitting him with a pop up Gun Stun, to a normal man? they would've been done for, finito, finished, but Lesnar is no normal man, he is the BEAST INCARNATE, and as a result he was able to shrug it off in a matter of seconds and go on to win the match in emphatic fashion with a Double F5.

The ring announcer can be seen moving into position and subsequently lifting the mic to his mouth to announce Lesnar as the winner of this bout, but before he could even get a word out, he was cut off by a voice coming through the arena sound system.

(???)
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!!!!!!!

That voice was all too familiar, it was none other than Brock Lesnar's advocate, Paul Heyman. Lesnar's theme was cut immediately upon Heyman's interruption, within moments Heyman had made his way through the curtain and begun a brisk trek down the ramp and into the ring to be by his client's side.

(Paul Heyman)
The winner of this match...and as of now OFFICIALLY on his way to DESTROYING...DECIMATING...AND DOMINATING!!! AJ STYLES at Dead Man's Hand!!! THE BEAST...THE CONQUERER...BRRRRRRRROOOOOOCCCCKKKKKK LLLLLLEEEEESSSSSNNNNNAAAAARRRR!!!!!!!



Lesnar's theme blasts once again as Heyman tosses the mic to the side like used garbage, he then proceeds to raise The Beast's hand in victory. The camera moves in for a close up of The Beast and his advocate standing side by side, Lesnar lets out a massive war cry scream to send a message of intimidation to Styles, and showing the world that The Beast is ready to get his hands on the Phenomenal One at Dead Man's Hand. High Octane heads into a commercial break with our last shot being a close up of Heyman and Lesnar in the center of the ring.

As High Octane continues on, we’re brought ringside to the familiar faces of our commentators, and based on the looks on their faces and the fact that they all appear to be trying to listen closely to something, it appears they are currently receiving some news over their headset that is confusing them, and were likely not planning on being on camera at this moment.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Um, ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to High Octane: Power to the People! I apologize, the segment we had planned for this moment involved XWL’s own Kayla Braxton interviewing Sarah Logan about a variety of topics, such as her reaction to the possibility of receiving a match for the women’s championship at Dead Man’s Hand, how she feels after being eliminated for the North American title tournament, and what we can expect from the “new” Sarah Logan going forward.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Unfortunately, it has been a few minutes since the scheduled meeting time for the interview, and Sarah is nowhere to be seen.

[[Corey Graves]]
I had a feeling this was going to happen. Sarah gets one big win, gets a hot head thinking she’s gonna break away from Ruby Riott and immediately starts dominating the women’s scene, and as soon as any trouble shows up she bounces. How pathetic.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Graves I have to say you really should have more faith in Logan. While I’m disappointed we’re not going to get this interview, I’m sure there’s an explana-

As if on cue, all the commentators once again look like they are receiving news on their headsets, news that again, seems to confuse them, but also seems to lift their spirits somewhat.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Well okay then! Folks, we are just receiving word that Sarah Logan has been located, yet still refuses to do the scheduled interview. However, she has in fact requested a camera be set up in front of her that we cut to, and I see no reason not to oblige that request, so here we go!

As Beth finishes explaining the situation, the camera cuts to a view of Sarah Logan very similar to the one we saw two weeks ago. Sitting down on some sort of storage crate, surrounded by the same makeshift red lighting. Her head is down once again, but this time it somehow feels a little different. Like it’s hanging a little heavier. No one could blame her for feeling disappointed in being eliminated from the North American championship tournament, any XWL superstar would be upset at losing an opportunity at a championship. Yet something about her posture conveys more. Something conveys feelings from deeper within.

[Sarah Logan]
Forberg.

The first word out of the mouth of Sarah Logan is the name of her ancient viking ancestors she told us about two weeks ago. She has now begun to rub her hands together slowly, and her leg is bouncing ever so slightly.

[Sarah Logan]
They were proud warriors, like I told everyone two weeks ago. Conquerors. Victors. But there was more to their story than what I shared. More to their story than what I wanted to believe.

At this point, Sarah raises her head so she’s looking directly at the camera.

[Sarah Logan]
Because you see, the Forbergs did not win every battle they were in. On the contrary, their history, while full of many spectacular victories and conquests, also contains its fair share of defeats and shame. But I chose to ignore this part of their story, chose to ignore that part of their viking spirit. I thought that as long as I embraced my ancestry I would be an unstoppable warrior who never lost, when such a thing never existed.

Sarah Logan now stops rubbing her hands together and stops bouncing her legs, as her eyes almost immediately light up with fire and fury.

[Sarah Logan]
But make no mistake. The Forbergs were also not ones to dwell on their mistakes, not ones to sulk in their losses. Because in the history of the Forbergs there is an easily observable pattern. A pattern that shows that their biggest victories came following their devastating losses. Because they regrouped, replanned, and vowed to push themselves in ways they didn’t think was possible before.

[Sarah Logan]
At Dead Man’s Hand I will be on the wheel along with the rest of the women’s division to see who will face Sasha Banks for the women’s championship. And if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s the power of destiny to bring opportunities to those who deserve it.

[Sarah Logan]
So Sasha, when destiny picks me the challenger for the women’s championship at Dead Man’s Hand, you better be ready. Because there’s nothing quite as dangerous as a viking spirit ready to apply themselves in ways they never have before to avenge a loss. You better be ready for the next slaying of a titan, the next grand victory in the story of Sarah Logan. And everyone in XWL and around the world better be ready for the future.

Logan leans into the camera as close as she possibly can while it still captures the entirety of her face, with a determination that is borderline scary.

[Sarah Logan]
Because they will remember my-

???
Sally!!!...

Logan gives a look of frustration and confusion as she turns her head to her left, where none other than Dr. Britt Baker DMD just walked into the camera’s view.

Britt Baker
Oh wait, no it’s Susan, right?.. Sarah!!! Sarah, yeah, sorry, there’s just so many new people I’ve met these past few weeks, it’s hard to keep track of everyone.. I uh, I guess it’s hard to forget you though, with that uh.. You know.. With that whole thing going on..

Britt points at Sarah’s attire. The Dentist then begins to look around at the lights.

Britt Baker
It looks like a sketchy massage parlor over here, what’s with the, you know what, it doesn’t matter.. Can you believe that Edge is forcing me to face Maryse tonight!?!...

[Sarah Logan]
We-

Britt Baker
I’m a dentist Susa- Sarah!! A dentist!!! I had an emergency call last week!! That’s why I couldn’t compete in my match against Toni Storm!! An emergency call!! Facing some nobody like Toni Storm is NOT an emergency.. I save lives Sally.. Sarah.. Well, maybe not lives, but I do save people from losing their teeth, and no one looks good with missing teeth!! I mean you could just look at the crowd out there tonight and you’ll see what I mean!! Clearly Canada’s dental care system is nothing compared to the treatment you get at my office!!!.. Speaking of which, you could probably use a cleaning.. Or ten.. Here..

Britt hands Sarah her card.

[Sarah Logan]
I do-

Britt cuts Sarah off once again.

Britt Baker
You were Ruby Riott’s bodyguard right??.. Or henchman, whatever you want to call it.. I mean clearly you realized that the XWL Universe would never accept someone that looked like you as a champion.. So it was smart for you to latch onto Ruby.. And she never should have let you go.. But one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure!! You see Sarah, I got it right this time!! Sarah, I’m the Role Model of the XWL Universe. I defeated Alexa Bliss and Kairi Sane in one on one competition. I just competed in a North American Title Match and was selected for the North American #1 Contender Tournament, and on top of it all I still manage to work a 9-5 job as a Dentist.. So to say that I’m XWL’s biggest young rising star would be an understatement.. Wouldn’t you say??

[Sarah Logan]
Wh-

Britt Baker
That was a rhetorical question silly, of course you would!! Everyone would!! And you know what else everyone would do??.. They would jump at the chance to be a part of my rise to the top.. But you Sarah, you actually can do just that.. You see, I don’t know if you saw the tweet, but Edge said that if I “no-show” my match against Maryse tonight, like I did FOR VALID REASONS, with Shayna Bazler and Toni Storm, that I would be suspended without pay.. I’m a dentist.. I don’t need his paychecks, I do this because the XWL Universe needs a role model, and Sarah.. Sarah, you need me…, just like the XWL Universe needs me...

[Sarah Logan]
I-

Britt Baker
I know, I know. You’d love to.. But it’s not that simple. Well, it actually is.. All I need you to do is have my back tonight when I face off with Maryse. I think she’s a little angry that I fed her to Shayna Bazler the way that I did, err, I mean, that I gave her that opportunity.. So, seeing as Ruby Riott ditched you, I figured I’d let be generous and offer to take her place for you.. That’s why they call me The Role Model.. All that generosity… Anyways, I’ll see you out there!!!!

Britt turns her back and skips away. Sarah grits her teeth and rips up the card that Britt got her as she watches The Dentist go. She attempts to regain her composure and finish her thought multiple times, but just seems to keep getting frustrated in the process. The last thing we see is an angry and confused Sarah Logan staring off into the distance.

The show rolls on and we are brought to the ring where we can hear the end of Maryse’s theme song playing. She is standing in the middle of the ring with an angry look on her face as she glares towards the stage. We can see that she is sporting a black eye from her match with Shayna Bazler that Britt Baker tricked her into participating in. The Canadian crowd is chanting Maryse’s name, clearly behind the fellow Canadian tonight.

Ring Announcer
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THIS MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR ONE FALL!!! AND PER THE POWER TO THE PEOPLE VOTE… THE LOSER WILL BE FIRED!!!!!!!!



The arena fills with boos as Dr Britt Baker DMD makes her way out to the stage, accompanied by what look to be nurses.

Corey Graves
Here she is Dr. Britt Baker!!... But where is Sarah Logan!?!? Britt Baker offered Sarah the chance of a lifetime!!.. So where is she!??

Britt looks behind her, as if wondering the same thing as Graves. The nurses begin to pass out Dentistry Kits to the members of the front row of the crowd. Britt continues to walk down the ramp, looking over her shoulder expectantly as she goes.

Corey Graves
Britt Baker offered to take off where Ruby Riott left off for Sarah Logan.. All that Sarah had to do was have Britt’s back tonight.. No wonder Ruby ditched her…

Britt slowly walks up the ring steps, making a big show of taking off her entrance attire’s “bells and whistles”.. Clearly she’s stalling, expecting for something to happen… But Maryse is having none of it.. She charges Britt, taking her down to the mat and unleashing with an array of elbows and fists!! The crowd goes wild as Britt struggles to defend her face from the sudden attack!! The ref pulls Maryse off of her and backs her into her corner!! The crowd is going wild, up until Britt walks right up behind the ref and slaps Maryse, who was being restrained in the corner, right in the face!!

Corey Graves
That was well deserved.. The match didn’t even begin yet and Maryse just attacked Britt like that?!? Such unsportsmanship, and Maryse is supposed to be the veteran..

The ref, clearly sick of trying to keep the two apart, signals for the bell to ring and the match to start!!! Britt, realizing that there is nothing holding Maryse back, quickly runs out of the ring to “regroup”... Maryse is once again having none of that, chasing her out of the ring!! Britt slides back into the ring, and stomps down hard behind her, connecting with the face of Maryse as she tries to chase Britt back into the ring!! Britt looks behind her towards the stage, expecting to see something, but no one is there. She turns her attention back towards Maryse and begins to unleash an assault of kicks to the limbs and face of the French Superstar!!

The match goes on in a very similar “cat and mouse” fashion. With the veteran Maryse trying everything she can to get her hands on Britt, but the rookie doing everything she can to cheat her way into advantages without getting disqualified!!

After a commercial break we return to the two in the middle of the ring exchanging blows!! The crowd cheers every time Maryse connects with an elbow, and boo when Britt lashes out with one of her own.. Finally Maryse is able to get the better of the exchange when..



Corey Graves
Finally!! It’s about time!! There’s Sarah Logan!! It looks like she decided to take Britt up on her generous offer after all!! Imagine, Britt’s brains and Sarah’s strength!! No one will be able to stop these two!!!

Sarah Logan makes her way down the ramp. Meanwhile in the ring Maryse, who had her attention drawn to the stage by the new arrival, turns back towards Britt, only to be kicked in the gut!! Britt then hits The Baker Buster!!! She goes for the pin!!!




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The crowd lets out a huge boo as Britt Baker forces the ref to raise her hand in victory!!!... Sarah Logan climbs the ring steps and steps through the ropes. Britt gives her a huge smile, shouting “I KNEW YOU’D COME!!!!”... Britt then looks down at Maryse, and a sinister grin crosses her face.. She then looks towards Sarah and shouts; “PICK HER UP, AND HOLD HER DOWN!!!”..

Corey Graves
It looks like Britt and Sarah are going to show Maryse what happens to anyone who decides to get in their way from now on!!!

Sarah takes three steps towards Maryse and then stops. She stands there for a few moments as the crowd buzzes in anticipation.. All of a sudden Sarah charges at Britt, taking her down with a tackle to the mat!!!!

Corey Graves
WHAT IS SHE DOING!??!

The crowd goes wild as the two scuffle on the canvas for a few minutes before The Dentist is able to push Sarah off of her and roll out of the ring!!! Britt quickly runs up the ramp to safety, waiting until she is at the stage to finally turn around, holding her face in pain as she glares at Sarah.



The crowd cheers as the last thing we see is Sarah and Britt staring each other down before we head to a video package for the Main Event.

Notes From The General Manager's Office:

"Robert Roode for 9 months has been truly "GLORIOUS" he's added many names to the list of those that he's beaten, including Keith Lee at Final Stand when he shocked the entire world and became our new World Heavyweight Champion. But the night of his rise to glory...The Enterprise may have returned what once belonged to them...but they lost something perhaps much greater...one of their own. Randy Orton had a shocking moment of his own when he struck Jon Moxley after his victory with the infamous RKO...and then eliminated his prey with a punt so destructive...that we haven't seen The Enterprise's Innovator of Violence ever since. Well, it was only a matter of time before The Enterprise's "debt collector" came calling...and after his victory over Sami Zayn last week? Roode issued the challenged and tonight he will indeed face The Apex Predator that reduced his ally to fallen prey at Final Stand. I'm not sure what's going to happen tonight when these two step into that ring but one thing I know for sure is we're going to see two men on two very different missions...and your guess is as good as mine as to which will succeed. "





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GLORIOUS D- WAIT, NO! RKO! RANDY ORTON REVERSES THE MOVE AND HITS THE RKO!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
MAMA MIA! RANDY ORTON RKOs THE WORLD CHAMPION!

[[Corey Graves]]
We could have a winner, right now but... Randy Orton isn't going for the pin. Randy has the chance to turn around and pin Robert Roode for the win but he's not. Randy's just sitting there.

As Corey Graves said, Randy Orton is just sitting there following the RKO on the World Champion. Robert hasn't moved since being hit by the three most dangerous letters this company has ever seen. The camera then begins to pan around to get a look at the face of the former heavyweight champion.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Oh no. I've seen that look before.

It's a familiar look for sure. The last time we've seen this look was at Final Stand during the match between Jon Moxley and Joey Janela. Worst of all, these fans in attendance were egging on the Apex Predator as he begins to slowly, methodically get up onto his feet. He looks down at Robert Roode who's barely moving and then his eyes shift to the crowd who still cheer. The referee approaches Orton and begins to prepare for whatever it is that Orton has going on in his mind but it looks as if the words are going in one ear and then out the other. Randy approaches Roode and stands over him, eyes staring down at him for a moment. And then to the delight of the crowd, Randy begins to back up into the corner and we know what's going to be coming next. We know what Randy has in mind and it's perhaps one of the deadliest moves in the history of professional wrestling. His hands wrap around the ropes and... then the referee gets in-between Randy and Roode and warns him not to do this.

[[Corey Graves]]
I don't know what out official is thinking right now. Respect to him for trying to do his job at least.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Randy can't do this to our World Heavyweight Champion!

The referee continues to shout out Randy which does force the Viper to focus on him for a moment. Randy eyes the referee down, stepping towards him as he steps back. Randy then looks over at the commentary table, Beth Phoenix to be exact, and stares at her for a second before...






















RKO ON THE REFEREE! THE REF IS DOWN AND OUT!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
THE REFEREE HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF THE EQUATION! There's nothing in Randy's way!

Orton then quickly backs into the corner again and assumes the position that he needs to be in. He shouts to Roode and begs for him to get up... The camera zooms in on Orton’s face as he glares down at his prey. All of a sudden we can see Orton’s expression turn from determination to confusion, as his face disappears from the camera’s view!! The camera zooms out and we can see that Orton is being dragged by his feet to the outside of the ring by a man whose face is covered by a hood.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
What is going on!!??! Who is that???!

The camera angle changes, showing the letters “MOX” painted in red on the back of the attacker’s hoodie. The crowd gives a mixed reaction of surprise and hatred, as the man rips the hood off, revealing the pissed off face of Jon Moxley!!!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
IT’S JON MOXLEY!! JON MOXLEY IS BACK!!!

Moxley looks Orton right in the eyes and says loud enough for the nearest camera to pick it up; “remember me, asshole?”, before delivering a hard right to the temple of The Viper!! The Lunatic Fringe unleashes with an array of elbows, fists, and even going as far as chomping down with his teeth on the bridge of Orton’s nose!!!!!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Ouch!! He just bit Randy Orton’s nose!!

[[Corey Graves]]
If he bit any harder, Randy might have ended up actually looking like a Viper when this was all said and done!!

Orton falls to a knee and uses the barricade to steady himself with one hand as he holds his nose in pain with the other!! Moxley turns his back on Orton and begins to shout at the crowd.. He turns around right into a European Uppercut by Orton!!

[[Corey Graves]]
Moxley needs to be careful!! I heard that he suffered a concussion after that Punt from Orton all those weeks ago!!!

Orton grabs Moxley and looks at him with a look of disgust before tossing him over the barricade!! The Viper stumbles back from the barricade, and checks to see if his nose is still bleeding. Moxley’s head appears over the barricade, clearly not finished with Orton yet. He hops over the barricade and right onto Orton, taking him down with a crossbody, following it up with an array of mounted punches!!

[[Corey Graves]]
What an assault by The Lunatic Fringe!!!

Moxley rolls off of Orton and rises to his feet, slamming the ring apron with his fist out of pure adrenaline. He looks around for a weapon to further his assault, but upon realizing that there is nothing in sight, he begins to check underneath the ring apron..

[[Corey Graves]]
What does Moxley have in mind…

Moxley pulls out a Kendo Stick!! He holds it out in front of him, looking at it fondly before looking down at the man responsible for giving him a concussion and missing the past few weeks of Octane.. Usually it’s The Viper who strikes, but this time it’s The Lunatic who begins to strike Orton over and over and over and over with the Kendo Stick!!! Each time that Moxley smacks Orton, a fresh red line appears on Orton’s back!!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
That’s going to leave a mark!!... Actually, it already is!! Look at those welts on Orton’s back from those Kendo Stick Strikes!!!

Moxley smacks Orton one last time across the back before turning around and snapping the Kendo Stick in half over his knee!!! He then gives the jagged wooden edge a sinister look, before turning his attention back to Orton…

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
No…

Moxley tosses the smaller half of the broken Kendo Stick aside, and sizes Orton up. He holds the kendo stick in both hands, jagged side sticking out towards Orton!!! He then lunges towards The Viper!!!!... But right before he is able to connect with the possibly career ending blow, Orton is able to instinctively lash out with a kick to the gut, focing Moxley to drop the Kendo stick!! The Viper than grabs Moxley and tosses him over the barricade once more!! Only this time he holds onto him, grabbing Moxley in a headlock as The Lunatic’s feet dangle on the barricade!! Orton has Moxley set up for his signature Rope Hung DDT, except off of the barricade this time!!!!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
No!! Don’t do it!!! He just got back from a concussion!!

All of a sudden Orton is clubbed from behind by a double axe handle from none other than The Glorious One himself!!!!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Roode is back in the fray!!

[[Beth Phoenix]]
He wasn't able to prevent Moxley from getting punted at Final Stand but he very well just saved him from getting put back on that shelf.

[[Corey Graves]]
Randy Orton bit off more than he can chew by making himself an enemy of The Enterprise and these two are about to make an example out of him.

With Orton's efforts thwarted by The World Heavyweight Champion, Roode grabs him by the waistband of his trunks then chucks him shoulder first into the steel steps as if he were a piece of garbage that had been tossed out onto the curb, but unfortunately that curb was fully made of steel and the impact of his shoulder colliding with that hardened destination causes The Viper to let out a bellowing squeal. While there's certainly much more awaiting The Apex Predator that now finds himself as the prey...Roode's sights shift back to Moxley who he grabs and helps off of the barricade. He makes sure he's okay and then pats him on the shoulder and says "Let's show him what the most dangerous thing in this industry really is...US! A sadistic smile comes onto Jon's face as he and his pal Bobby each begin to attack Orton like a pack of wild wolves, delivering clubbing blows at every exposed part of his body as they mount an onslaught.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Randy Orton started this at Final Stand when he struck with that RKO...and followed up with that career ending punt of his...and unfortunately for The Viper he poked the bear one too many times when he tried to repeat his actions here tonight in his match with The World Heavyweight Champion.

[[Corey Graves]]
He may have potentially been able to pin Roode following that RKO after countering The Glorious DDT...but instead of going for that victory he tried to put another member of The Enterprise on the shelf...and now...he might be the one that's about to return to that cold and cruel shelf.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
He's certainly in a bad way right now, it's two on one...and no one wins those odds no matter who you are.

After pummeling Randy Orton with all kinds of strikes they could deliver, they both come to a halt...not because they've suddenly found enough satisfaction to bring their attack to an end...no, but to enact the next phase of their assault. Moxley and Roode without saying a word share a glance that sees the two each pick the beaten down Apex Predator up and chuck him onto the apron rolling him into the squared circle where he punted Moxley...and tried to punt Roode tonight. They soon mock Orton by slithering under the bottom rope to join him, then pull him up onto his knees and look out into the booing audience with proud smirks. United, they each raised their middle fingers into the air to the angry crowd, which only further riles them...then start to distance themselves. Roode backs up until he's perfectly lined up behind Orton...while Moxley backs up until he's perfectly across him. Looking him in the eyes as he shouts "YOU'RE STUPID PIECE OF SHIT IF YOU THINK YOU'D END MY CAREER THAT EASILY!" Moxley looks to Roode then the two come charging forward each sliding down with their momentum until they damn near guillotine Orton's head right off his body with a perfectly timed reverse and traditional clothesline that meet in the middle for one devastating blow.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
MAMA MIA THAT WAS NASTY!

[[Beth Phoenix]]
It wasn't at all pretty but it damn sure was effective as Orton practically collapses into a heap...I know he was technically the one to draw first blood but this is...this is too much.

[[Corey Graves]]
Maybe so, maybe not...but these two? They don't seem to be finished just yet.

Following their disgusting clothesline combination, Orton lies barely even moving...and it's a testament to how much of a savage he is himself that he's not unconscious right now. But unfortunately for Randy Orton? The worst has yet to come...and that's something we soon realize as they slowly back up, staring at the prone Orton...sadistic thoughts running through their heads as the audience just gets louder and louder. And those boos get much worse when they both back into respective corners...and Randy Orton once again finds himself in the middle of a devastation sandwich. They both grab the top rope with both hands, leaning forward as they almost mock Randy Orton's very gesture....they...they're not seriously...THEY'RE GOING FOR A....DOUBLE PUNT?! Orton rises up on his hands and knees, unaware of the fact his career may be about to be over. He punted Moxley, he tried to punt Roode just moments ago...and he's about to pay for his sins with his own twisted form of attack being turned against him.



The audience rejoices as Keith Lee's new theme debuted earlier tonight sounds...and Orton's fate of being on both ends of a DOUBLE Punt thankfully is coming to a halt as Roode and Moxley's sights shift to the stage where The Limitless One bursts through the curtain ready to take out weeks of frustration over losing his World Championship at Final Stand. Moxley being the absolute fearless son of a bitch he is quickly dips through the ropes and shouts back at Roode "I'LL BE RIGHT BACK THIS FUCK IS MINE!" The Enterprise's Aficionado Of Violence charges up the ramp ready to make Keith Lee pay for interrupting their good time when suddenly Keith Lee CHARGES THROUGH HIM POUNCING HIS EAGER ASS OVER THE BARRICADE AND INTO THE AUDIENCE!

[[Beth Phoenix]]
OH MY GOODNESS HOW DOES HE DO THAT?!

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
With a lot of "Limitless" power!

[[Corey Graves]]
What is he even doing out here? This has nothing to do with him.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Clearly he couldn't stand back and allow The Enterprise to claim another victim, let's not forget he knows all about The Enterprise-

[[Corey Graves]]
He literally just acted as if they weren't even still together earlier tonight.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Well now he sees with his own two eyes that they indeed are, and he's here to put an end to their attack.

[[Corey Graves]]
An attack in SELF DEFENSE...

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Maybe at first but this went way beyond self defense and fast.

Roode's eyes bug out of his head he looks concerned for the state of his partner that was literally just chucked into the audience with EASE! Keith immediately stomping forward ready to get his hands on Roode, and Robert tries to meet him at the ropes before he can. However he's quickly "yeeted" forward by a giant push allowing Keith to get into the ring and like a bad habit Roode comes charging back at Keith only to get chucked right into the air and comes down into the arms of Keith Lee as he attempts a SPIRIT BOMB! The audience screams in excitement...but Roode isn't about to play this game tonight he flails forward slipping out of his grasp and IMMEDIATELY books it out of the ring tripping over his feet as he rushes up the ramp to avoid a potential further beating from the man he took The World Heavyweight Championship from. Moxley starts to climb over the railing, and with a furious cry he lunges back toward the ring only to be pulled back by Roode who does his best to steer his friend in the correction direction and that is away from getting anywhere near Keith right now.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
Jon Moxley has returned...and even after being sent flying into the crowd he STILL wants more.

[[Beth Phoenix]]
Definitely speaks to the character of Jon Moxley that he wanted to go back for seconds against the man who bested him not too long ago.

[[Corey Graves]]
But like a true friend The World Heavyweight Champion being there for Moxley and letting him know that they will indeed have their revenge...but it will be on their terms.

Keith Lee stands at the ropes glaring at The Enterprise he denounced being in existence still earlier tonight, as Orton slowly pulls himself up, his paralyzing gaze looking past Keith and at the two men who bested him tonight...but knowing Randy? He's not going to let what happened tonight go unpunished. The referee runs over to return Roode's World Heavyweight Title to him as he quickly thrusts it into the air with his arm around Moxley as the scene comes to an end.

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(Mauro Ranallo)
What a win for Finn Balor! after a battle all over the arena, a Coup De Grace on Roman Reigns has led the Prinxe to picking up his first win in his first match of this Mach 6 Tournament!

(Corey Graves)
Congratulations Finn! only took ya almost a month of being back in this company to grab a win, hoorah, hooray!

(Beth Phoenix)
It's only his second match back Corey, and his first match back in the company against Randy Orton three weeks ago ended in a double count out, and to be honest? I think Balor's goal in that match was to make a statement more then anything else. Whilst the RKO itself wasn't ideal, going tit for tat with the Apex Predator let the world know that Finn Balor is BACK and is as dangerous as ever before.

Balor is declared the winner and his hand is raised in victory, he signals for a mic and is provided one rather quickly, his theme dies down and he prepares to address the XWL universe for the first time since returning to XWL three weeks ago.

(Finn Balor)
Line em up, and I'll knock em down, it's as simple as that. One by one they'll all fall and become stepping stones on my journey back to where I belong, THE PRINXE'S THRONE!

(Finn Balor)
LONG LIVE THE PRINXE!!!



Balor drops the mic and his theme begins to play once again.

(Mauro Ranallo)
Short, sweet, and to the point from the self proclaimed Prinxe Finn Balor, but I can't help but feel as though it's left the XWL universe wanting to hear more from the man of mystery.

(Beth Phoenix)
I'm glad you mentioned that Mauro, because I have it on good authority that Finn Balor has already sat down to give XWL.com an exclusive and in depth sit down interview. The XWL universe will be able to check it out in the "XWL Exclusive" section of our website starting next week, it'll be a can't miss watch that's for sure.

(Corey Graves)
Stay tuned for that folks, we'll be back live after this short commercial break.

Balor exits the ring and heads up the ramp and towards the back as Octane heads into a commercial break.

Notes From The General Manager's Office:

"You can't throw Roman Reigns in this and NOT have Goldberg included as well. Their rivalry has been explosive from the jump, and their inclusion not only takes their rivalry to the next level, it adds the hype that something like this needs by knowing that their eventual rematch is guaranteed...the question is what will they experience along the way before and AFTER that rematch? Ilja is a Superstar I introduced on the very first Octane to the entire world. He's faced a lot of setbacks since that night but through those setbacks? He's not given up, he's let them motivate him, even pulling off one hell of an upset when he was able to defeat a former World Heavyweight Champion in Daniel Bryan. Part of being a challenger and a Champion? Is having that nerve to believe you're the best even when it's proven otherwise. Honestly the moment he delivered the sickest headbutt I've ever seen to Daniel Bryan last month? I knew my investment had paid off and I'm excited to see what he brings to this. Will the "past" or "future" move forward in the present as both Superstars look to soon claim their first titles in XWL?"



The commentary team is lying in wait as we’re back from commercial break, a match graphic pops up on the screen that features two of XWL’s most prominent superstars/ They are ready to take the ring tonight and deliver. The team weighs in starting with The Savior Of Misbehavior, Corey Graves.


[[Corey Graves]]
Tonight is where we find out who has what it takes, the division of the hardest hitting, most ruthless competitors are in this. You have names mentioned last week that are set to compete in this very ring and show the world they are hungrier than ever. Make no mistake, the word Spear springs to thought and you immediately think of Goldberg, he’s not done taking people off the list. His opponent is The Russian Marksman, llja Dragunov and he’s been eager to get the opportunity to knock Goldberg off course once more as he takes his place in XWL seriously. It was almost taken away from him in his first night, and ever since then he’s been on a war path, with minor setback after minor setback, not letting it discourage him. Edge felt like it was best to pin these two up against one another and that’s exactly what is happening.

[[Mauro Ranallo]]
You know, you talk about the many icons of this business and Goldberg certainly falls into that category as unpredictable by nature, given his stature and brass demeanor. Finn Balor most think is the wild card but honestly I feel Ilja Dragunov has all the tools to make it big, if he manages to get out of his own head, and doesn’t cause an irreparable injury in the process. Goldberg is marked, and Ilja is NEXT… let’s find out what match these two are going to be placed in, the votes are in and it’s either going to be a Normal Match, Extreme Rules or a Falls Count Anywhere. Any of those matches would be a sight to behold. Beth would you like to do the honors?


[[Beth Phoenix]]
The match that takes place tonight in the MACH 6 stand off between Goldberg and Ilja Dragunov is..

Beth waits and looks up at the titantron and the displaying of the graphic comes across it. All of the commentary team eagerly looks up, not knowing what it will be themselves..


SPOILERS AHEAD
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